PR 5308 



1895 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



000032^3575 




'^bV^ 







He 








.... *o 









.Si" --w 




Collection of " Mastcr/'ict cs " 
SIR WALTER-SCOTT 

The Lady 
of the Lake 

With UHUieroiis original illustrations by 
JOSEPH M. GLEESON 





1ttc\v Jl?ori? anCi %on&on 

Frederick; A. Stokes Company 

PUBLISHERS 

Printed in A merica 









Copyright^ 1895, by 
Frederick A . Stokes Coiiipn ny 



'/^-3' 






^be Xa^? of the Xafte. 

* 

The Scene of the folloiving Poein is laid 
chiefly in the Vicinity of Loch Katrine, 
in the Western Highlattds of Perthshire. 
The titne of Actio7t includes Six Days, 
and the transactions of each Day occupy 
a Canto. 



CANTO FIRST. 

THE CHASE. 

Harp of the North ! that mouldering long 
hast hung 



O T H E L A D Y O y T H E L A K E . 

On the witch-elm that shades Saint 
Fillans spring, 
And down the fitful breeze thy numbers 
flung, 
Till envious ivy did around ihee cling, 
Muffling with verdant ringlet every 
string,— 
O minstrel Harp, still must thine accents 
sleep? [ing, 

Mid rustling leaves and fountains murmur- 
Still must thy sweeter sounds their si- 
lence keep, 
Vor bid a warrior smile, nor teach a maid 
to weep ? 

i^ot thus, in ancient days of Caledon. 
Was thy voice mute amid the festal 
crowd, 
When lay of hopeless love, or glory won. 
Aroused the fearful, or subdued the 
proud. 
At each according pause, was heard aloud 
Thine ardent symphony sublime and 
high ! 
Fair dames and crested chiefs attention 
bow'd : 
For still the burden of thy minstrelsy 
Was knighthood's dauntless deed, and 
Beauty's matchless eye. 



THELADYOFTHELAKE. 7 

O wake once more ! how rude soe'er the 
hand 
That ventures o"er thy magic maze to 
stray ; 
O wake once more ! though scarce my skill 
command 
Some feeble echoing of thine earlier lay: 
Though harsh and faint, and soon to die 
away, 
And all unworthy of thy nobler strain. 
Yet if one heart throb higher at its sway 
The wizard note has not been touch'd in 
vain. 
Then silent be no more ! Enchantress, 
wake again ! 

The stag at eve had drunk his fill, 

Where danced the moon on Monan's rill, 

And deep his midnight lair had made 

In lone Glenartney's hazel shade ; 

But, when the sun his beacon red 

Had kindled on Benvoirlich's head,* 

The deep-mouth'd bloodhound's heavy bay 

Resounded up the rocky way. 

And faint, from farther distance borne, 

Were heard the clanging hoof and liorn. 



* One of the Grampian chain of moun- 
tains at the head of the Valley of the Garry 



8 the;ladyofthelake. 

II. 
As Chief, who hears his warder call, 
" To arms ! the foemen storm the wall," 
The antler"d monarch of the waste 
Sprung from his heathery couch in haste 
But, e'er his fleet career he took, 
The dew-drops from his flanks he shook ; 
Like crested leader proud and high, 
Toss'd his beam"d frontlet to the sky ; 
A moment gazed adown the dale, 
A moment snuff'd the tainted gale, 
A moment listened to the cry. 
That thicken'd as the chase drew nigh ; 
Then, as the headmost foes appeared. 
With one brave bound the copse he clear'd. 
And, stretching forward free and far, 
Sought the wild heaths of Uam-Var. 



Yell'd on the view the opening pack ; 
Rock, glen, and cavern paid them back ; 
To many a mingled sound at once 
The awakened mountain gave response, 
A hundred dogs bay'd deep and strong. 
Clattered a hundred steeds along. 
Their peal the merry horns rung out, 
A hundred voices join'd the shout ; 
With hark and whoop and wild huUoo, 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

No rest Benvoirlich's echoes knew. 
Far from the tumult fled the roe, 
Close in her covert cower'd the doe, 
The falcon, from her cairn on high, 
Cast on the rout a wondering eye, 
Till far beyond her piercing ken 
The hurricane had swept the glen. 
Faint and more faint, its failing din 
Returned from cavern, cliff, and linn, 
And silence settled, wide and still. 
On the lone wood and mighty hill. 



Less loud the sounds of sylvan war 
Disturbed the heights of Uam-Var, 
And roused the cavern, where 'tis told, 
A giant made his den of old ; 
For ere that steep ascent was won. 
High in his pathway hung the sun. 
And many a gallant, stay'd perforce. 
Was fain to breathe his faltering horse. 
And of the trackers of the deer, 
Scarce half the lessening pack was near ; 
So shrewdly on the mountain side 
Had the bold burst their mettle tried. 



The noble stag was pausing now, 
Upon the mountain's southern brow, 



lO THELADVOFTHELAKE. 

Where broad excendeu, far beneaih. 
The varied reahns of fair Menteith. 
With anxious eye he wandered o'er 
Mountain and meadow, moss and moor, 
And ponder'd refuge from his toil, 
By far Lochard or Aberfoyle. 
But nearer was the copsewood gray. 
That waved and wept on Loch-Achray, 
And mingled with the pine-trees blue 
(3n the bold cliffs of Benvenue. 
Fresh vigour with the hope returned, 
With flying foot the heath he spurn'd, 
Held westward with unwearied race. 
And left behind the panting chase. 

VI. 

'Twere long to tell what steeds gave o'er, 
As swept the hunt through Cambus-more; 
What reins were tightened in despair. 
When rose Benledi's ridge in air ;* 
Who fliagg'd upon Bochastle's heath. 
Who shunn'd to stem the flooded Teith,t — 
For twice that day, from shore to shore, 
The gallant stag swam stoutly o'er. 



* Benledi is a high mountain on the 
north-west of Callender. Its name signi- 
fies the mountain of God. 

t A river which gives its name to the 
territory of Menteith. 




THE KKIG UF TUI^l-:. 



12 T H E L A D \- O F T H E L A K E . 

Few were the stracrglers, following far, 
That reach'd the lake of Venachar ; 
And when the Brig of Turk was won, 
The headmost horseman rode alone, 

VII. 

Alone, but with unbated zeal. 

That horseman plied the scourge and 

steel ; 
For jaded now, and spent with toil, 
Emboss'd with foam, and dark with soil. 
While every gasp with sobs he drew. 
The labouring stag strain'd full in view. 
Two dogs of black Saint Hubert's breed, 
Unmatch'd for courage, breath, and speed, 
Fast on his flying traces came, 
And all but won that desperate game ; 
For, scarce a spear's length from his haunch, 
Vindictive toil'd the bloodhounds staunch ; 
Nor nearer might the dogs attain. 
Nor farther might the quarry strain. 
Thus up the margin of the lake, 
Between the precipice and brake, 
O'er stock and rock their race they take. 

VIII. 

The Hunter mark'd that mountain high, 
The lone lake's western boundary. 






■'X> 



%* 













^4 THE L A U V OF THE LAKE. 

And deem'd the stag must turn to bay, 
Where that huge rampart barr'd the 

way ; 
Already glorying in the prize, 
Measured his antlers with his eyes ; 
For the death-wound and death-halloo, 
Muster'd his breath, his whinyard drew:— 
But thundering as he came prepared, 
With ready arm and weapon bared. 
The wily quarry shunn'd the shock. 
And turn'd him from the opposing rock ; 
Then, dashing down a darksome glen, 
Soon lost to hound and hunter's ken, 
In the deep Trosach's wildest nook 
His solitary refuge took. 
There, while close couch'd, the thicket 

shed 
Cold dews and wild-flowers on his head. 
He heard the baffled dogs in vain 
Rave through the hollow pass amain. 
Chiding the rocks that yell'd again. 

IX. 

Close on the hounds the Hunter came. 
To cheer them on the vanish'd game ; 
But, stumbling in the rugged dell. 
The gallant horse exhausted fell. 
The impatient rider strove in vain 
'To rouse him with the spur and rein. 



.fW^»W'^-7 



^^^ 



> < 

2 r. 




10 THELADYOFTHELAKE. 

For the good steed, his labours o'er, 
Stretch'd his stiff limbs, to rise no more ; 
Then, touch'd with pity and remorse, 
He sorrow'd o'er the expiring horse. 
" I little thought, when first thy rein 
I slack'd upon the banks of Seine, 
That Highland eagle e'er should feed 
On thy fleet limbs, my matchless steed ! 
Woe worth the chase, woe worth the 

day. 
That costs thy life, my gallant gray ! " 

X. 

Then through the dell his horn resounds. 
From vain pursuit to call the hounds. 
Back limp'd, with slow and crippled pace. 
The sulky leaders of the chase ; 
Close to their master's side they press'd, 
With drooping tail and humbled crest ; 
But still the dingle's hollow throat 
Prolong'd the swelling bugle-note. 
The owlets started from their dream. 
The eagles answer'd with their scream. 
Round and around the sounds were cast. 
Till echo seem'd an answering blast ; 
And on the Hunter hied his way. 
To join some comrades of the day ; 
Yet often paused, so strange the road. 
So wondrous were the scenes it show'd. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 
XL 

The western waves of ebbing day 

RoU'd o'er the glen their level way ; 

Each purple peak, each flinty spire, 

Was bathed in floods of living Are. 

But not a setting beam could glow 

Within the dark ravines below, 

Where twined the path in shadow hid, 

Round many a rocky pyramid, 

Shooting abruptly from the dell 

Its thunder-splinter'd pinnacle ; 

Round many an insulated mass. 

The native bulwarks of the pass. 

Huge as the tower* which builders vain 

Presumptuous piled on Shinar's plain. 

The rocky summits, split and rent, 

Form'd turret, dome, or battlement. 

Or seemM fantastically set 

With cupola or minaret. 

Wild crests as pagod ever deck'd, 

Or mosque of Eastern architect. 

Nor were these eanh-born castles bare. 

Nor lack'd they many a banner fair ; 

For, from their shiver"d brows display'd. 

Far o'er the unfathomable glade. 

All twinkling with the dewdrops sheen. 

The brier-rose fell in streamers green, 



*The Tower of Babel. 



l8 T H E L A D V O F T H E L A K E . 

And creeping shrubs, of thousand dyes, 
Waved in the west-wind's summer sighs. 

XII. 

Boon nature scattered, free and wild, 
Each plant or fiovver, the mountain's child, 
Here eglantine emhalm'd the air, 
Hawthorn and hazel mingled there ; 
The primrose pale and violet flower, 
Found in each cliff a narrow bower ; 
Fo.\-glove and night-shade, side by side. 
Emblems of punishment and pride, 
Group'd their dark hues with every stain 
The weather-beaten crags retain. 
With boughs that quaked at every breath. 
Gray birch and aspen wept beneath ; 
Aloft, the ash and warrior oak 
Cast anchor in the rifted rock ; 
And, higher yet, the pine-tree hung 
His shatter'd trunk, and frequent flung. 
Where seem'd the cliffs to meet on high. 
His boughs athwart the narrow'd sky. 
Highest of all, where white peaks glanced. 
Where glist'ning streamers waved and 

danced, 
The wanderer's eye could barely view 
The summer heaven's delicious blue ; 
So wondrous wild, the whole might seem 
The scenery of a fairy dream. 



T H E L A D \- O K T H E L A K E , I 

xi;i. 
Onward, amid the copse 'g-an peep 
A narrow inlet, still and deep, 
Affording scarce such breadth of brim, 
As served the wild duck's brood to swim. 
Lost for a space, through thickets veering 
But broader when again appearing, 
Tall rocks and tufted knolls their face 
Could on the dark-blue mirror trace; 
And farther as the Hunter stray'd, 
Still broader sweeps its channels made. 
The shaggy mounds no longer stood, 
Emerging from entangled wood. 
But wave-encircled, seem'd to float, 
Like castle girdled M^ith its moat ; 
Yet broader floods extending still 
Divide them from their parent hill, 
Till each, retiring, claims to be 
An islet in an inland sea. 

XIV. 

And now, to issue from the glen, 

Mo pathway meets the wanderer's ken, 

Unless he climb, with footing nice, 

A far projecting precipice. 

The broom's tough roots his ladder made, 

The hazel saplings lent their aid ; 

And thus an airy point he won, 

Where, gleaming w^ith the setting sun, 



20 T H E I, A D %• ( ) F T H E L A K E . 

One burnish'd sheet of living gold, 

Loch Katrine lay beneath him roll'd, 

In all her length far winding lay. 

With promontory, creek, and bay, 

And islands that, empurpled bright. 

Floated amid the livelier light, 

And mountains, that like giants stand, 

To sentinel enchanted land. 

High on the south huge Benvenue 

Down on the lake in masses threw 

Crags, knolls, and mounds, confusedly" 

hurl'd. 
The fragments of an earlier world ; 
A wildering forest feather'd o'er 
Hisruin'd sides and summit hoar, 
While on the north, through middle air, 
Ben-an heaved high his forehead bare. 

XV. 

From the steep promontory gazed 
The stranger, raptured and amazed. 
And, " What a scene were here," he cried, 
"• For princely pomp, or churchman's pride ! 
On this bold brow, a lordly tower ; 
In that soft vale, a lady's bower ; 
On yonder meadow, far away. 
The turrets of a cloister gray ; 
How blithely might the bugle-horn 
Chide, on the lake, the lingering morn ! 



T H E L A D Y O F T H E L A K K . 2 J 

How sweet at eve, the lover's lute 
Chime, when the groves were still and 

mute ! 
And, when the midnight moon should lave 
Her forehead in the silver wave. 
How solemn on the ear would come 
The holy matins' distant hum. 
While the deep peal's commanding tone 
Should wake, in yonder islet lone, 
A sainted hermit from his cell, 
To drop a bead with every knell — 
And bugle, lute, and bell, and all, 
Should each bewilder'd stranger call 
To friendly feast and lighted hall. 

XVI. 

" Blithe were it then to wander here I 
But now, — beshrew yon nimble deer, — 
Like that same hermit's, thin and spare. 
The copse must give my evening fare ; 
Some mossy bank my couch must be. 
Some rustling oak my canopy. 
Yet pass we that ; the war and chase 
Give little choice of resting-pJace ; — 
A summer night, in greenwood spent, 
'Were but to-morrow's merriment : 
But hosts may in these wilds abound, 
Such as are better miss'd than found ; 
To meet with Highland plunderers here, 



22 T H E I. A D \- O F THE LAKE. 

Were worse than loss of steed or deer. — 

I am alone ; — my bugle strain 

May call some straggler of the train ; 

Or, fall the worst that may betide, 

Ere now this falchion has been tried." 

xvu. 
But scarce again his horn he wound, 
When lo ! forth starting at the sound, 
From underneath an aged oak, 
That slanted from the islet rock, 
A damsel guider of its way, 
A little skiff shot to the bay, 
That round the promotory steep 
Led its deep line in graceful sweep. 
Eddying in almost viewless wave, 
The weeping willow-twig to lave. 
And kiss, with whispering sound and slow, 
The beach of pebbles bright as snow. 
The boat had touch'd this silver strand, 
Just as the Hunter left his stand. 
And stood concealed amid the brake. 
To view this Lady of the Lake. 
The maiden paused, as if again 
She thought to catch the distant strain. 
With head up-raised, and look intent. 
And eye and ear attentive bent, 
And locks flung back, and lips apart. 
Like monument of Grecian art. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

In listening mood, she seem'd to stand, 
The guardian Naiad of the strand. 



And ne'er did Grecian chisel trace 
A Nymph, a Naiad, or a Grace, 




THIS LADY (TF THE LAKE. 

Of finer form, or lovelier face ! 
What though the sun, with ardent frown, 
Had slightly tinged her cheek with brown, — 
The sportive toil, which, short and light, 
Had dyed her glowing hue so bright. 



24 T H E I. A D V O F T HE LAKE. 

Served too in hastier swell to show 
Short g-limpses of a breast of snow : 
\\'hat though no rule of courtly grace 
To measured mood had train'd her pace,— 
A foot more light, a step more true, 
Ne'er from the heath-flower dash'd the dew ; 
E'en the slight harebell raised its head 
Elastic from her airy tread : 
What though upon her speech there hung 
The accents of the mountain tongue, — 
Whose silver sounds, so soft, so dear. 
The listener held his breath to hear ! 

XIX. 

A Chieftain's daughter seem'd the maid ; 

Her satin snood, her silken plaid. 

Her golden brooch, such birth betray'd. 

And seldom was a snood amid 

Such wild luxuriant ringlets hid, 

Whose glossy black to shame might bring 

The plumage of the raven's wing : 

And seldom o'er a breast so fair, 

INIantled a plaid with modest care. 

And never brooch the folds combined 

Above a heart more good and kind. 

Her kindness and her worth to spy. 

You need but gaze on Ellen's eye ; 

Not Katrine, in her mirror blue. 

Gives back the shaggy banks more true, 



T H E L A D \' O F T H E L A k' E . 25 

Than every free-born glance confess'd 
The guileless movements of her breast ; 
Whether joy danced in her dark eye, 
Or woe or pity claim'd a sigh, 
Or filial love was glowing there. 
Or meek devotion pour'd a prayer, 
Or tale of injury calTd forth 
The indignant spirit of the North. 
One only passion unreveal'd, 
With maiden pride the maid conceal'd. 
Yet nut less purely felt the flame ;— 
O need I tell that passion's name 1 

XX. 

Impatient of the silent horn, 

Now on the gale her voice was borne ; — 

*' Father ! " she cried ; the rocks around 

Loved to prolong the gentle sound. 

Awhile she paused, no answer came, — 

" Malcolm, was thine the blast ? " the name 

Less resolutely utter'd fell. 

The echoes could not catch the swell 

" A stranger L" the Huntsman said, 

Advancing from the hazel shade. 

The maid, alarm'd, with hasty oar. 

Push'd her light shallop from the shore, 

And when a space was gain'd between. 

Closer she drew her bosom's screen ; 

(So forth the startled swan would swing, 



20 T H E L A n ^• O F THE L A K E . 

So turn to prune his ruffled wing.) 
Then safe, though flutter'd and amazed, 
She paused, and on the stranger gazed. 
Not his the form, nor his the eye, 
That youthful maidens wont to fly. 

XXI. 

On his bold visage middle age 

Had slightly press'd its signet sage 

Yet had not quench'd the open truth 

And fiery vehemence of youth ; 

Forward and frolic glee was there, 

The will to do, the soul to dare. 

The sparkling glance, soon blown to fire, 

Of hasty love, or headlong ire. 

His limbs were cast in manly mould. 

For hardy sports or contest bold ; 

And though in peaceful garb array'd, 

And weaponless, except his blade, 

His stately mien as well implied 

A high-born heart, a martial pride, 

As if a Baron's crest he wore, 

And sheathed in armour trode the shore. 

Slighting the petty need he show'd, 

He told of his benighted road ; 

His ready speech flow'd fair and free. 

In phrase of gentlest courtesy ; 

Yet seem'd that tone, and gesture bland. 

Less used to sue than to command. 



T H E L A D \' O 1" T HE LA K K . '. 

XXII. 

A while the maid the stranger eyed, 
And, reassured, at length replied, 
That Highland halls were open still 
To wilder'd wanderers of the hill. 
" Nor think you unexpected come 
To yon lone isle, our desert home ; 
Before the heath had lost the dew, 
This morn, a couch was pulTd for you ; 
On yonder mountain's purple head 
Have ptarmigan and heath-cock bled 
And our broad nets have swept the mere 
To furnish forth your evening cheer."' — 
" Now, by the rood, my lovely maid. 
Your courtesy has err'd," he said ; 
" No right have I to claim, misplaced, 
The welcome of expected guest. 
A wanderer, here by fortune tost, 
My way, my friends, my courser lost, 
I ne'er before, believe me, fair. 
Have ever drawn your mountain air, 
Till on this lake's romantic strand, 
I found a fay in fairy land i" — 

XXI II. 

" I well believe," the maid replied. 

As her light skiff approach'd the side,— 

" I well believe, that ne'er before 

Your foot has trod Loch Katrine's shore ; 



23 T H E L A D Y O F T H E L A K E . 

But yet, as far as yesternight, 
Old Allan-Bane foretold your plight,— 
A gray-haired sire, whose eye intent 
Was on the vision'd future bent. 
He saw your steed, a dappled gray, 
Lie dead beneath the birchen way ; 
Painted exact your form and mien. 
Your hunting suit of Lincoln green. 
That tassell'd horn so gayly gilt, 
That falchion's crooked blade and hilt. 
That cap with heron plumage trim. 
And yon two hounds so dark and grim. 
He bade that all should ready be, 
To grace a guest of fair degree ; 
But light I held his prophecy, 
And deem'd it was my father's horn. 
Whose echoes o'er the lake were borne." 

XXIV. 

The stranger smiled :— " Since to your home 

A destined errant-knight I come 

Announced by prophet sooth and old, 

Doom'd doubtless, for achievement bold, 

ril lightly front each high emprise, 

For one kind glance of those bright eyes. 

Permit me, first, the task to guide 

Your fairy frigate o'er the tide." 

The maid, with smile suppress'd and sly. 

The toil unwonted saw him trv ; 



T H E L A U \' O F r H E L A K E . 29 

For seldom sure, if e'er before, 

His noble hand had graspM an oar ; 

Yet with main strength his strokes he 

drew, 
And o'er the lake the shallop flew ; 
With heads erect, and whimpering cry, 
The hounds behind their passage ply. 
Nor frequent does the bright oar break 
The dark'ning mirror of the lake, 
Until the rocky isle they reach, 
And moor their shallop on the beach. 

xw. 
The stranger view'd the shore around, 
'Twas all so close with copsewood bound. 
Nor track nor pathway might declare 
That human foot frequented there. 
Until the mountain-maiden show'd 
A clambering unsuspected road. 
That winded through the tangled screen. 
And openM on a narrow green. 
Where weeping birch and willow round 
With their long fibres swept the ground. 
Here, for retreat in dangerous hour, 
Some chief had framed a rustic bower. 

XXVI. 

It was a lodge of ample size, 

But strange of structure and device : 



30 T H E L A D V O F T 1 1 E L A K E . 

Of such materials, as around 

The workman's hand had readiest found. 

Lopp'd off their boughs, their hoar trunks 

bared, 
And by the hatchet rudely squared, 
To give the walls their destined height, 
The sturdy oak and ash unite ; 
While moss and clay and leaves combined 
To fence each crevice from the wind. 
The lighter pine-trees, over-head. 
Their slender length for rafters spread, 
And wither'd heath and rushes dry 
Supplied a russet canopy. 
Due westward, fronting to the green, 
A rural portico was seen, 
Aloft on native pillars borne, 
Of mountain fir, with bark unshorn. 
Where Ellen's hand had taught to twine 
The ivy and Idcen vine, 
The clematis, the favour'd flower 
Which boasts the name of virgin-bov.-er, 
And every hardy plant could bear 
Loch Katrine's ke^n and searching air. 
An instant in the porch she staid. 
And gaily to the stranger said, 
■" On heaven and on thy lady call, 
And enter the enchanted hall ! '" 



THE LADV OF THE LAKIE 



" My hope my heaven, my trust must be, 
My gentle ^'uide, in following thee." 
He cross'd the threshold— and a clang 
Of angry steel that instant rang. 




TROPHIES OK THE FIGHT OR CHASE. 

To his bold brow his spirit rush'd, 
But soon for vain alarm he blush'd, 
When on the floor he saw display'd, 
Cause of the din a naked blade 



^ iw 




WHOSE STALWART ARM MIGHT UKOOK TO 

WIELD 
A BLADE LIKE THIS IN B A TTLE-KIELD. 



T H E L A D \- O F T H E L A K E . 33 

Dropp'd from the sheath, that careless 

flung 
Upon a stag's huge antlers swung ; 
For all around, the walls to grace, 
Hung trophies of the fight or chase : 
A target there, a bugle here, 
A battle-axe, a hunting spear, 
And broadswords, bows, and arrows store, 
With the tusk'd trophies of the boar. 
Here grins the wolf as when he died, 
And there the wild-cat's brindled hide 
The frontlet of the elk adorns. 
Or mantles o'er the bison's horns ; 
Pennons and flags defaced and stain'd. 
That blackening streaks of blood retained, 
And deer-skins, dappled, dun, and white. 
With otter's fur and seal's unite. 
In rude and uncouth tapestry all 
To garnish forth the sylvan hall. 

XXVIII. 

The wondering stranger round him gazed. 
And next the fallen weapon raised : — 
Few were the arms whose sinewy strength 
Sufficed to stretch it forth at length. 
And as the brand he poised and sway'd, 
" I never knew but one," he said, 
" Whose stalwart arm might brook to wield 
A blade like this in battle-field." 



34 T H E L A U %• O F T H E I, A K E . 

She sigh'd, then smiled and look the word : 

" You see the guardian champion't, sword ; 

As Hght it trembles in his hand, 

As in my grasp a hazel wand ; 

My sire's tall form might grace the part 

Of Ferragus or Ascabart ; 

But in the absent giant's hold 

Are women now, and menials old." 

XXIX. 

The mistress of the mansion came, 

Mature of age, a graceful dame ; 

Whose easy step and stately port 

Had well become a princely court, 

To whom, though more than kindred 

knew. 
Young Ellen gave a mother's due. 
Meet welcome to her guest she made. 
And every courteous rite was paid 
That hospitality could claim. 
Though all unask'd his birth and name. 
Such then the reverence to a guest, 
That fellest foe might join the feast. 
And from his deadliest foeman's door 
Unquestion'd turn, the banquet o'er. 
At length his rank the stranger names, 
^' The Knight of Snowdoun, James Fitz- 

James ; 
Lord of a barren heritage. 



I H E L A D V O !•■ T H E L A K E . 3 

Which his brave sires, from age to age, 
By their good swords had held with toil : 
His sire had fallen in such turmoil, 
And he, God wot, was forced to stand 
Oft for his right with blade in hand. 
This morning, with Lord Moray's train. 
He chased a stalwart stag in vain, 
Outstripp'd his comrades, miss'd the deer, 
Lost his good steed, and wander'd here." 

xxx. 
Fain would the knight in turn require 
The name and state of Ellen's sire. 
(Veil show'd the elder lady's mien 
That courts and cities she had seen : 
F-llen, though more her looks display'd 
The simple grace of sylvan maid. 
In speech and gesture, form and face, 
Show'd she was come of gentle race. 
"Tsvere strange, in ruder rank to find. 
Such looks, such manners, and such mind. 
Each hint the Knight of Snowdoun gave, 
Dame Margaret heard with silence grave ; 
Or Ellen, innocently gay, 
Turn'd all inquiry light away : — 
" Weird women we ! by dale and down 
We dwell, afar from tower and town. 
We stem the flood, we ride the blast, 
On wandering knights our spells we cast ; 



30 T H E L A D V O F T H E L A K K . 

While viewless minstrels touch the string-, 
'Tis thus our charmed rhymes we sing."' 
She sung, and still a harp unseen 
Fill'd up the symphony between. 

XXXI. 

SONG. 

" Soldier, rest ! thy warfare o'er. 

Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking 
Dream of battled fields no more 

Days of danger, nights of waking. 
In our isle's enchanted hall, 

Hands unseen thy couch are strewing. 
Fairy strains of music fall, 

Every sense in slumber dewing. 
Soldier, rest ! thy warfare o'er, 
Dream of fighting fields no more : 
Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking, 
Morn of toil, nor night of waking. 
" No rude sound shall reach thine ear. 

Armour's clang, or war-steed champing, 
Trump nor pibroch summon here 

Mustering clan, or squadron tramping ; 
Yet the lark's shrill fife may come 

At the day-break from the fallow. 
And the bittern sound his drum. 

Booming from the sedgy shallow. 
Ruder sounds shall none be near. 
Guards nor warders challenge here ; 



THE LAUV O F T H E I. A K F. . 37 

Here's no war-steed's neigh and champing, 
Shouting clans, or squadrons stamping." 

XXXII. 

She paused — then, blushing, led the lay 
To grace the stranger of the day. 
Her mellow notes awhile prolong 
The cadence of the flowing song, 
Till to her lips in measured frame 
The minstrel verse spontaneous came. 

SONG CONTTNUED. 

" Huntsman, rest ! thy chase is done, 

While our slumb'rous spells assail ye, 
Dream not, with the rising sun, 

Bugles here shall sound reveille. 
Sleep ! the deer is in his den ; 

Sleep ! thy hounds are by thee lying ; 
Sleep ! nor dream in yonder glen. 

How thy gallant steed lay dying. 
Huntsman, rest ! thy chase is done. 
Think not of the rising sun. 
For at dawning to assail ye, 
Here no bugles sound reveille.'' 

XXXIII. 

The hall was clear'd— the stranger's bee? 
Was there of mountain heather spread, 
Where oft a hundred guests had lain. 
And dream'd their forest sports again-. 
But vainly did the heath-flower shed 



3» T H E L A U \- O I-- T HE LA K E . 

Its moorland friigrancc round his head : 

Not Ellen's spell had lulTd to rest 

The fever of his troubled breast, 

In broken dreams the image rose 

Of varied perils, pains, and woes : 

His steed now flounders in the brake, 

Now sinks his barge upon the lake ; 

Now leader of a broken host, 

His standard falls, his honour's lost. 

Then,— from my couch may heavenly 

might 
Chase that worst phantom of the night !— 
Again return'd the scenes of youth. 
Of confident undoubting truth ; 
Again his soul he interchanged 
With friends whose hearts were long 

estranged. 
They come, in dim procession led. 
The cold, the faithless, and the dead ; 
As warm each hand, each brow as gay, 
As if they parted yesterday, 
And doubt distracts him at the View. 
O, were his senses false or true ? 
Dream'd he of death, or broken vow, 
Or is it all a vision now ? 

XXXIV. 

At length, with Ellen in a grove 

He seem'd to walk, and speak of love ; 



THE I. A U ^• () F T H K I. A K E . 39. 

She listen'd with ablush and sigh, 

His suit was warm, his hopes were high. 

He sought her yielded hand to clasp, 

And a cold gauntlet met his grasp ; 

The phantom's sex was changed and gone^. 

Upon its head a helmet shone ; 

Slowly enlarged to giant size. 

With darken'd cheek and threatening eyes,. 

The grisly visage, stern and hoar, 

To Ellen still a likeness bore. — 

He woke, and panting with afifright, 

Recall'd the vision of the night. 

The hearth's decaying brands were red. 

And deep and dusky lustre shed, 

Half showing, half concealing, all 

The uncouth trophies of the hall. 

'Mid those the stranger fix'd his eye. 

Where that huge falchion hung on high. 

And thoughts on thoughts, a countless. 

throng, 
Rush'd, chasing countless thoughts along,. 
Until, the giddy whirl to cure. 
He rose and sought the moonshine pure. 

XXXV. 

The wild rose, eglantine, and broom. 
Wafted around their rich perfume : 
The birch trees wept in fragrant balm. 
The aspens slept beneath the calm ; 



40 THELADVOFTHELAKE. 

The silver light with quivering glance, 

Play'd on the water's still expanse. — 

Wild were the heart whose passions' sway 

Could rage beneath the sober ray ! 

He felt its calm, that warrior guest, 

While thus he communed with his breast:— 

" Why is it, at each turn I trace 

Some memory of that exiled race ! 

Can I not mountain maiden spy, 

But she must bear the Douglas eye ? 

Can I not view a Highland brand 

But it must match the Douglas hand ? 

Can I not frame a fever'd dream, 

But still the Douglas is the theme? 

ril dream no more — by manly mind 

Not even in sleep is will resigned. 

My midnight orisons said o'er, 

I'll turn to rest, and dream no more." 

His midnight orisons he told, 

A prayer with every bead of gold. 

Consigned to heaven his cares and woes, 

And sunk in undisturbed repose ; 

Until the heath-cock shrilly crew. 

And morning dawned on Benvenue. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 



CANTO SECOND. 

THE ISLAND. 
I. 

At morn the black-cock trims his jetty 
wing, 
'Tis morning prompts the linnet's blith- 
est lay, 
All Nature's children feel the matin spring 

Of life reviving, with reviving day ; 
And while yon little bark glides down the 
bay, 
Wafting the stranger on his way again. 
Morn's genial influence roused a minstrel 
gray. 
And sweetly o'er the lake was heard thy 
strain, 
Mixed with the sounding harp, O white- 
haired Allan-Bane ! 



SONG. 

" Not faster yonder rowers' might 
Flings from their oars the spray. 

Not faster yonder rippling bright, 

That tracks the shallop's course in light, 
Melts in the lake away. 

Than men from memory erase 



42 



The benefits of former days ; 

Then, stranger, go ! good speed the while. 

Nor think again of the lonely isle. 

" High place to thee in royal court, 

High place in battle line, 
Good hawk and hound for sylvan sport, 
Where beauty sees the brave res-ort, 

The honoured meed be thine ! 
True be thy sword, thy friend sincere. 
Thy lady constant, kind and dear, 
And lost in love and friendship's smile 
Re memory of the lonely isle.'' 
III. 

SONG CONTINUED. 

" But if beneath yon southern sky 
A plaided stranger roam. 
Whose drooping crest and stifled sigh, 
And sunken cheek and heavy eye, 

Pine for his Highland home ; 
Then, warrior, then be thine to show 
The care that soothes a wanderer's woe ; 
Remember then thy hap erewhile 
A stranger in the lonely isle. 

" Or if on life's uncertain main 

Mishap shall mar thy sail ; 
If faithful, wise, and brave in vain. 



1 H E LADY () F T H K I. A K E . 43 

Woe, want, and exile ihou sustain 

Beneath the tickle gale ; 
Waste not a sigh on fortune changed, 
On thankless courts, or friends estranged. 
But come where kindred worth shall 

smile. 
To greet thee in the lonely isle." 

n'. 
As died the sounds upon the tide, 
The shallop reached the mainland side, 
And ere his onward way he took. 
The stranger cast a lingering look. 
Where easily his eye might reach 
The Harper on the islet beach. 
Reclined against a blighted tree. 
As wasted, gray, and worn as he. 
To minstrel meditation given, 
His reverend brow was raised to heaven 
As from the rising sun to claim 
A sparkle of inspiring flame. 
His hand, reclined upon the wire, 
Seem'd watching the awakening fire ; 
So still he sate, as those who wait 
Till judgment speak the doom of fate ; 
So still, as if no breeze might dare 
To lift one lock of hoary hair ; 
So still, as life itself were fled. 
In the last sound his harp had sped. 



44 T H E L A D \' O F T H E L A K E . 

Upon a rock with lichens wild, 
Beside him Ellen sate and smiled. — 
Smiled she to see the stately drake 
Lead forth his fleet upon the lake, 
While her vexed spaniel from the beach. 
Bayed at the prize beyond his reach ? 
Yet tell me, then, the maid who knows, 
Why deepened on her cheek the rose ? — 
Forgive, forgive. Fidelity !- 
Perchance the maiden smiled to see 
Yon parting lingerer wave adieu. 
And stop and turn to wave anew ; 
And, lovely ladies, ere your ire 
Condemn the heroine of my lyre. 
Show me the fair would scorn to spy. 
And prize such conquest of her eye ! 

VI. 

While yet he loitered on the spot. 
It seemed as Ellen marked him not ; 
But when he turned him to the glade. 
One courteous parting sign she made ; 
And after oft the knight would say. 
That not when prize of festal day 
Was dealt him by the brightest fair 
Who e'er wore jewel in her hair, 
So highly did his bosom swell, 
As at that simple mute farewell. 



THELAUYOFTHELAKE. 45 

Now with a trusty mountain-guide, 
And his dark stag-hounds by his side, 
He parts— the maid, unconscious still, 
Watched him wind slowly round the hill ; 
But when his stately form was hid, 
The guardian in her bosom chid — 
" Thy Malcolm 1 vain and selfish maid ! "" 
'Twas thus upbraiding conscience said, — 
" Not so had Malcolm idly hung 
On the smooth phrase of southern tongue ; 
Not so had Malcolm strained his eye, 
Another step than thine to spy. 
Wake, Allan-Bane," aloud she cried. 
To the old Minstrel by her side, — 
" Arouse thee from thy moody dream ! 
I'll give thy harp heroic theme, 
And warm thee with a noble name : 
Pour forth the glory of the Graeme ! " 
Scarce from her lip the word had rushed. 
When deep the conscious maiden blushed ; 
For of his clan, in hall and bower. 
Young Malcolm Graeme was held the 
flower. 

VII. 

The Minstrel waked his harp — three times 
A-rose the well-known martial chimes, 
And thrice their high heroic pride 
In melancholy murmurs died. 



.46 T H E L A D Y O F T H E L A K E . 

" Vainly thou bid'st, O noble maid," 

Clasping his withered hands, he said, 

"Vainly thou bid'st me wake the strain, 

Though all unwont to bid in vain. 

Alas ! than mine a mightier hand 

Has tuned my harp, my strings has 

spanned ! 
I touch the chords of joy, but low 
And mournful answer notes of woe ; 
And the proud march which victors tread. 
Sinks in the wailing for the dead. 
O well for me, if mine alone 
That dirge's deep prophetic lone ! 
If, as my tuneful fathers said. 
This harp, which erst Saint Modan swayed. 
Can thus its master's fate foretell. 
Then welcome be the minstrel's knell ! 

*' But ah ! dear lady, thus it sighed 

The eve thy sainted mother died ; 

And such the sounds which, while I strove 

To wake a lay of war or love. 

Came marring all the festal mirth. 

Appalling me who gave them birth, 

And, disobedient to my call, 

Wailed loud through BothwelTs bannered 

hall, 
Ere Douglasses, to ruin driven. 



THE L A IJ \' O F T H E L A K E . 4 

Were exiled from their native heaven. — 
Oh I if yet worse mishap and woe 
My master's house must undergo, 
Or aught but weal to Ellen fair 
Brood in these accents of despair. 
No future bard, sad Harp! shall fling 
Triumph or rapture from thy string ; 
One short, one final strain shall flow, 
Fraught with unutterable woe. 
Then shivered shall thy fragments lie. 
Thy master cast him down and die I " 

IX. 

Soothing she answered him, " Assuage, 
Mine honoured friend, the fears of age; 
All melodies to thee are known. 
That harp has rung, or pipe has blov/n. 
In Lowland vale or Highland glen. 
From Tweed to Spey— what marvel, then, 
At times, unbidden notes should rise. 
Confusedly bound in memory's ties, 
Entangling, as they rush along. 
The war-march with the funeral song? 
Small ground is now for boding fear ; 
Obscure, but safe, we rest us here. 
My sire, in native virtue great. 
Resigning lordship, lands, and state, 
Not then to fortune more resigned 
Than yonder oak might give the wind ; 



40 T H E L A D V O F T H E L A Iv E . 

The graceful foliage storms may reave, 

The noble stem they cannot grieve. 

For me," — she stooped, and, looking round, 

Plucked a blue hare-bell from the ground — 

" For me, whose memory scarce conveys 

An image of more splendid days, 

This little flower, that loves the lea, 

May well my simple emblem be ; 

It drinks heaven's dew as blithe as rose 

That in the king's own garden grows ; 

And when I place it in my hair, 

Allan, a bard is bound to swear 

He ne'er saw coronet so fair." 

Then playfully the chaplet wild 

She wreathed in her dark locks, and smiled. 

X. 

Her smile, her speech, with winning sway, 
Wiled the old harper's mood away, 
With such a look as hermits throw. 
When angels stoop to soothe their woe. 
He gazed, till fond regret and pride 
Thrilled to a tear, then thus replied : 
" Loveliest and best ! thou little know'st 
The rank, the honours, thou hast lost ! 
O might I live to see thee grace, 
In Scotland's court, thy birth-right place. 
To see my favourite's step advance. 
The lightest in the courtly dance, 



T H E L A D Y O K r H E L A K E . 49 

The cause of every gallant's sigh, 
And leading star of every eye, 
And theme of every minstrel's art. 
The Lady of the Bleeding Heart ! " * 

XI. 

'• Fair dreams are these," the maidencried, 
(Light was her accent, yet she sighed ;) 
'* Yet is this mossy rock to me 
Worth splendid chair and canopy ; 
Nor would my footsteps spring more gay 
In courtly dance than blithe strathspey, 
Nor half so pleased mine ear incline 
To royal minstrel's lay as thine. 
And then for suitors proud and high. 
To bend before my conquering eye, — 
Thou flattering bard ! thyself wilt say. 
That grim Sir Roderick owns its sway. 
The Saxon scourge, Clan-Alpine's pride. 
That terror of Loch Lomond's side, 
Would, at my suit, thou knovv'st, delay 
A Lennox foray— for a day." — 

XII. 

The ancient bard his glee repressed : 
" 111 hast thou chosen theme for jest ! 
For who, through all this wesiern wild, 
Named Black Sir Roderick e'er, and smiled ! 



The cognizance of the Douglas family. 



JO T HE L A D \' O F THE L A K E . 

In Holy-Rood a kni^.it lie slew, 

I saw, when back ilie dirt; he drew, 

Courtiers give place before the stride 

Of the undaunted homicide ; 

And since, though outlawed, hath his 

hand, 
Full sternly kept his mountain land. 
Who else dared giv'e — ah ! woe the day, 
That I such hated truth should say— 
The Douglas, like a stricken deer, 
Disowned by every noble peer, 
Even the rude refuge we have here ? 
Alas, this wild marauding Chief 
Alone might hazard our relief. 
And now thy maiden charms expand. 
Looks for his guerdon in thy hand ; 
Full soon may dispensation sought, 
To back his suit, from Rome be brought. 
Then, though an exile on the hill, 
Thy father, as the Douglas, still 
Be held in reverence and fear ; 
And though to Roderick thou'rt so dear. 
That thou might'st guide with silken 

thread, 
Slave of thy will, this chieftain dread ; 
Yet, O loved maid, thy mirth refrain ! 
Thy hand is on a lion's mane." — 



XIII. 

" Minstrel," the maid replied, and high 
Her father's soul glanced from her eye, 
" My debts to Roderick's house I know : 
All that a mother could bestow, 
To Lady Margaret's care I owe. 
Since tirst an orphan in the wild 
She sorrowed o'er her sister's child ; 
To her brave chieftain son, from ire 
Of Scc^laiid's king who shrouds my sire, 
A deeper, holier debt is owed ; 
And, could I pay it with my blood, 
Allan ! Sir Roderick should command 
My blood, my life, — but not my hand. 
Rather will Ellen Douglas dwell 
A votaress in Maronnan's cell ; 
Rather through realms beyond the sea, 
Seeking the world's cold charity. 
Where ne'er was spoke a Scottish word. 
And ne'er the name of Douglas heard. 
An outcast pilgrim will she rove. 
Than wed the man she cannot love. 

XIV. 

*' Thou shak'st, good friend, thy tresses 

gray,— 
That pleading look, what can it say 
But what I own ? — I grant him brave. 
But wild as Bracklinn's thundering wave : 



52 T H E L A U \- O F T H E L A 1-: E . 

And generous— save vindictive mood, 

Or jealous transport, chafe his blood ; 

I grant him true to friendly band. 

As his claymore is to his hand ; 

But O ! that very blade of steel 

More mercy for a foe would feel : 

I grant him liberal, to fling 

Among his clan the wealth they bring, 

When back by lake and glen they wind, 

And in the Lowland leave behind. 

Where once some pleasant hamlet stood, 

A mass of ashes slaked with blood. 

The hand that for my father fought, 

I honour, as his daughter ought ; 

But can I clasp it reeking red 

From peasants slaughtered in their shed ? 

No ! wildly while his virtues gleam, 

They make his passions darker seem. 

And flash along his spirit high. 

Like lightning o'er the midnight sky. 

While yet a child, — and children know. 

Instinctive taught, the friend and foe,— 

I shuddered at his brow of gloom, 

His shadowy plaid, and sable plume ; 

A maiden grown, I ill could bear 

His haughty mien and lordly air : 

But, if thou join'st a suitor's claim. 

In serious mood, to Roderick's name, 



T H K LADY OF THE L A K E . 53 

I thrill with anguish ! or, if e'er 
A Douglas knew the word, with fear. 
To change such odious theme were best,— 
What think' St thou of our stranger 
guest ? " 

XV. 

" What think I of him ?— woe the while 
That brought such wanderer to our isle ! 
Thy father's battle-brand, of yore 
For Tine-man forged by fairy lore. 
What time he leagued, no longer foes, 
His border spears with Hotspur's bows, 
Did, self-unscabbarded, foreshow 
The footstep of a secret foe. 
If courtly spy hath harboured here. 
What may we for the Douglas fear > 
What for this island, deemed of old 
Clan-Alpine's last and surest hold ? 
If neither spy nor foe, I pray, 
What yet may jealous Roderick say ? 
— Nay, wave not thy disdainful head. 
Bethink thee of the discord dread 
That kindled, when at Beltane game 
Thou ledst the dance with Malcolm Graeme ; 
Still, though thy sire the peace renewed 
Smoulders in Roderick's breast the feud ; 
Beware ! — But hark, what sounds are these? 
My dull ears catch no faltering breeze, 



54 T H E L A O \' OF THE LAKE, 

No weeping birch nor aspens wake, 
Nor breath is dimpling in the lake, 
Still is the canna's * hoary beard. 
Yet, by my minstrel faith, I heard — 
And hark again ! some pipe of war 
Sends the bold pibroch from afar." 



Far up the lengthened lake were spied 
Four darkening specks upon the tide. 
That, slow enlarging on the view. 
Four manned and masted barges grew, 
And, bearing downwards from Glengyle, 
Steered full upon the lonely isle ; 
The point of Brianchoil they passed. 
And, to the windward as they cast, 
Against the sun they gave to shine 
The bold Sir Roderick's bannered Pine. 
Nearer and nearer as they bear, 
Spear, pikes, and axes flash in air. 
Now might you see the tartans brave, 
And plaids and plumage dance and wave 
Now see the bonnets sink and rise. 
As his tough oar the rower plies ; 
See, flashing at each sturdy stroke, 
The wave ascending into smoke ; 
See the proud pipers on the bow. 



Cotton grass. 



1- H E L A U V I) F T H E L A K E . 55 

And mark the gaudy slreainers flow 
From their loud chanters* down, and 

sweep 
The furrowed bosom of the deep, 
As, rushing through the lake amain, 
They plied the ancient Highland strain. 

XVII. 

Ever as on they bore, more loud 

And louder rung the pibroch proud. 

At first the sound, by distance tame, 

Mellow'd along the waters came. 

And, lingering long by cape and bay. 

Wailed every harsher note away ; 

Then bursting bolder on the ear. 

The clan's shrill Gathering they could 

hear ; 
Those thrilling sounds, that call the might 
Of old Clan-Alpine to the fight. 
Thick beat the rapid notes, as when 
The mustering hundreds shake the glen. 
And, hurrying at the signal dread. 
The batter'd earth returns their tread. 
Then prelude liglit, of livelier tone. 
Expressed their merry marching on. 
Ere peal of closing battle rose. 
With mingled outcry, shrieks, and blows ; 

* The pipe of the bagpipe. 



56 THELADVOFTHELAKE. 

And mimic din of stroke and ward, 
As broadsword upon target jarred ; 
And groaning pause, ere yet again, 
Condensed, thie battle yelled amain ; 
The rapid charge, the rallying shout, 
Retreat borne headlong into rout. 
And bursts of triumph, to declare 
Clan-Alpine's conquest — all were there. 
Nor ended thus the strain ; but slow. 
Sunk in a moan prolonged and low. 
And changed the conquering clarion swell, 
For wild lament o'er those that fell. ' 



The war-pipes ceased ; but lake and hill 
Were busy with their echoes still ; 
And, when they slept, a vocal strain 
Bade their hoarse chorus wake again. 
While loud a hundred clansmen raise 
Their voices in their Chieftain's praise. 
Each boatman, bending to his oar. 
With measured sweep the burden bore, 
In such wild cadence, as the breeze 
Makes through December's leafless trees. 
The chorus first could Allan know, 
" Roderick Vich Alpine, ho ! iro ! " 
And near, and nearer as they rowed. 
Distinct the martial ditty flowed. 



A D V OF T H . 



57 



XIX. 

BOAT SONG. 

Hail to the Chief who in triumph advances ! 
Honoured and blessed be the ever-green 
Pine ! 
Long- may the tree in his banner that 
glances, 
Flourish, the shelter and grace of our 
line ! 

Heaven send it happy dew, 
Earth lend it sap anew, 
Gayly to bourgeon, and broadly to grow. 
While every Highland glen 
Sends our shout back agen, 
" Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho ! ieroe ! " 

Ours is no sapling, chance-sown by the 
fountain, 
Blooming at Beltane, in winter to fade : 
When the whirlwind has stripped every 

leaf on the mountain. 
The more shall Clan-Alpine exult in her 
shade. 

Moored in the rifted rock, 
Proof to the tempest's shock, 
Firmer he roots him the ruder it blow ; 
Menteith and Breadalbane then, 
Echo his praise agen, 
" Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho ! ieroe ! " 



58 T H E I. A D V O 1-- r HE LAKE. 

XX. 

Proudly our pibroch has thrilled in Glen 
Fruin, 
And Bannochar's fjroans to our slogan 
replied; 
Glen Luss and Ross-dhu, they are smoking 
in ruin, 
And the best of Loch Lomond lie dead on 
her side, 

Widow and Sa.xon maid 
Long shall lament our raid. 
Think of Clan-Alpine with fear and with 
woe ; 
Lenno.\ and Leven-glen 
Shake when they hear agen, 
" Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho ! ieroe ! " 

Row, vassals, row, for the pride of the 
Highlands ! 
Stretch to your oars for the ever-green 
Pine! 
O ! that the rose-bud that graces yon 
islands, 
Were wreathed in a garland around him 
to twine ! 
O that some seedling gem, 
Worthy such noble stem, 
Honoured and blessed in their shadow 
might grow ! 



•I' HE L A I) \- O K THE L A K K . 59 

Loud should Clan-Alpine then 
Ring from the deepest glen, 
" Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho ! ieroe ! " 

XXI. 

With all her joyful female band, 

Had Lady Margaret sought the strand, 

Loose on the breeze their tresses flew, 

And high their snowy arms they threw, 

As echoing back with shrill acclaim, 

And chorus wild, the Chieftain's name ; 

While, prompt to please, with mother's art. 

The darling passion of his heart. 

The Dame called Ellen to the strand, 

To greet her kinsman ere he land : 

'■ Come, loiterer, come ! a Douglas thou. 

And shun to wreathe a victor's brow ? " — 

Reluctantly and slow, the maid 

The unwelcome summoning obeyed, 

And, when a distant bugle rung. 

In the mid-path aside she sprung: — 

" List, Allan-Bane ! From mainland cast 

I hear my father's signal blast. 

Be ours," she cried, " the skifif to guide. 

And waft him from the mountain side." 

Then, like a sunbeam, swift and bright, 

She darted to her shallop light, 

And, eagerly while Roderick scanned. 

For her dear form, his mother's band. 



6o T H E L A i:> ^■ (> K THE LAKE, 

The islet far behind her lay, 
And she had landed in the bay. 




SHE DARTED TO HER SHALLOT LIGHT. 



Some feelings are to mortals given, 
With less of earth in them than heaven ; 



T H E L A U V O F T H E L A K E . 01 

And if there be a human tear 

From passion's dross refined and clear, 

A tear so limpid and so meek, 

It would not stain an angel's cheek, 

'Tis that which pious fathers shed 

Upon a duteous daughter's head ! 

And as the Douglas to his breast 

His darling Ellen closely pressed, 

Such holy drops her tresses steeped, 

Though 'twas an hero's eye that weeped. 

Nor while on Ellen's faltering tongue 

Her filial welcomes crowded hung, 

Marked she, that fear (affection's proof) 

Still held a graceful youth aloof; 

No ! not till Douglas named his name. 

Although ihe youth was Malcolm Graeme. 

XXIII. 

Allan, with wistful look the while, 

Marked Roderick landing on the isle ; 

His master piteously he eyed, 

Then gazed upon the Chieftain's pride. 

Theri dashed, with hasty hand, away 

From his dimmed eye the gathering spray; 

And Douglas, as his hand he laid 

On Malcolm's shoulder, kindly said, 

" Canst thou, young friend, no meaning spy 

In my poor follower's glistening eye ? 

I'll tell thee : — he recalls the day. 



62 T H E L A U Y () F THE I. A K E . 

When in my praise he led the lay 

O'er the arched gate of Bothwell proud, 

While many a minstrel answered loud, 

When Percy's Norman pennon, won 

In bloody field, before me shone, 

And twice ten knights, the least a name 

As mighty as yon Chief may claim, 

Gracing my pomp, behind me came. 

Yet trust me, Malcolm, not so proud 

Was 1 of all that marshalled crowd. 

Though the waned crescent owned my 

might 
And in my train trooped lord and knight. 
Though Blantyre hymned her holiest lays. 
And Bothwell's bards flung back my praise. 
As when this old man's silent tear. 
And this poor maid's afifection dear, 
A welcome give more kind and true. 
Than aught my better fortunes knew. 
Forgive, my friend, a father's boast, 
O ! it out-beggars all I lost ! " 

\-\iv. 
Delightful praise ! —Like summer rose, 
That brighter in the dew-drop glows, 
The bashful maiden's cheek appeared. 
For Douglas spoke, and Malcolm heard. 
The flush of shamefaced joy to hide. 
The hounds, the hawk, her cares divide : 



■] H E L A U \' O K r H E L A K E . 63 

The loved caresses of the maid 

The dogs with croucli and whimper paid ; 

And, at her whistle, on her hand 

The falcon took his favourite stand, 

Closed his dark wing, relaxed his eye, 

Nor, though unhooded, sought to fly. 

And, trust, while in such guise she stood, 

Like fabled Goddess of the wood, 

That if a father's partial thought 

O'erweighed her worth and beauty aught. 

Well might the lover's judgment fail, 

To balance with a juster scale ; 

For with each secret glance he stole, 

The fond enthusiast sent his soul. 

XXV. 

Of stature tall, and slender frame, 

But firmly knit, was Malcolm Graeme. 

The belted plaid and tartan hose 

Did ne'er more graceful limbs disclose ; 

His flaxen hair of sunny hue, 

Curled closely round his bonnet blue. 

Trained to the chase, his eagle eye 

The ptarmigan in snow could spy : 

Each pass, by mountain, lake, and 

heath, 
He knew, through Lenno.x and Men- 

teith : 
Vain was the bound of dark-brown doe. 



64 THELADYOFTHELAKE. 

When Malcolm bent his sounding bow, 
And scarce that doe, though winged wiih 
fear, 




iMALCOLIM GK.EME. 

Outstripped in speed the mountaineer 



THELADYOFTHELAKE. 65 

Right up Ben-Lomond could he press, 
And not a sob his toil confess. 
His form accorded with a mind 
Lively and ardent, frank and kind ; 
A blither heart, till Ellen came, 
Did never love nor sorrow tame ; 
It danced as lightsome in his breast, 
As played the feather on his crest. 
Yet friends who nearest knew the youth, 
His scorn of wrong, his zeal for truth. 
And bards, who saw his features bold, 
When kindled by the tales of old, 
Said, were that youth to manhood grown 
Not long should Roderick Dhu's renowa 
Be foremost voiced by mountain fame, 
But quail to that of Malcolm Graeme. 

XXVI. 

Now back they wend their watery way^ 

And, " O my sire ! " did Ellen say, 

" Why urge thy chase so far astray ? 

And why so late returned ? And why " — 

The rest was in her speaking eye. 

" My child, the chase I follow far, 

'Tis mimicry of noble war; 

And with that gallant pastime reft. 

Were all of Douglas I have left. 

I met young Malcolm as I strayed 

Far eastward in Glenfinlas' shade, 



66 T H E L A D V O F T H E L A K E . 

Nor Strayed I safe ; for, all around, 
Hunters and horsemen scoured the ground. 
This youth, though still a royal ward, 
Risked life and land to be my guard. 
And through the passes of the wood 
Guided my steps, not unpursued ; 
And Roderick shall his welcome make, 
Despite old spleen, for Douglas' sake. 
Then must he seek Strath-Endrick glen. 
Nor peril aught for me agen."' 

XXVII. 

Sir Roderick, who to meet them came, 
Reddened at sight of Malcolm Graeme, 
Vet. not in action, word, or eye, 
Failed aught in hospitality. 
In talk and sport they whiled away, 
The morning of that summer day ; 
But at high noon a courier light 
Held secret parley with the knight. 
Whose moody aspect soon declared, 
That evil were the news he heard. 
Deep thought seemed toiling in his head ° 
Yet was the evening banquet made. 
Ere he assembled round the flame. 
His mother, Douglas, and the Graeme, 
And Ellen, too ; then cast around 
His eyes, then fixed them on the ground. 
As studying phrase that might avail 



T H E L A 1) V () F T H E L A K E . 67 

Best to convey the unpleasant tale. 
Long with his dagger's hilt he played, 
Then raised his haughty brow, and said : — 

XXVIII. 

" Short be my speech; — nor time affords. 

Nor my plain temper, glozing words. 

Kinsman and father, — if such name 

Douglas vouchsafe to Roderick's claim ; 

Mine honored mother; Ellen — why, 

My cousin, turn away thine eye? 

And Graeme ; in whom I hope to know 

Full soon a noble friend or foe, 

When age shall give thee thy command, 

And leading in thy native land, — 

List all '.—The King's vindictive pride 

Boasts to have tamed the Border-side, 

Where chiefs, with hound and hawk who 

came 
To share their monarch's sylvan game, 
Themselves in bloody toils were snared ; 
And when the banquet they prepared. 
And wide their loyal portals flung, 
O'er their own gateway struggling hung. 
Loud cries their blood from Meggat's mead. 
From Yarrow braes, and banks of Tweed, 
Where the lone streams of Ettrick glide, 
And from the silver Teviot's side ; 
The dale.s, where martial clans did ride, 



68 T H E L A D Y O F T H E L A K E . 

Are now one sheep-walk, waste and wide. 

This tyrant of the Scottish throne, 

So faithless and so ruthless known, 

Now hither comes ; his end the same. 

The same pretext of sylvan game. 

What grace for Highland Chiefs, judge ye 

By fate of Border chivalry. 

Yet more: amid Glenfinlas green, 

Douglas, thy stately form was seen. 

This by espial sure I know ; 

Your counsel in the streight I show." 

XXIX. 

Ellen and Margaret fearfully 

Sought comfort in each other's eye, 

Then turned their ghastly look, each one, 

This to her sire — that to her son. 

The hasty colour went and came 

In the bold cheek of Malcolm Grreme ; 

But from his glance it well appeared, 

'Tv.'as but for Ellen that he feared: 

While, sorrowful, but undismayed. 

The Douglas thus his counsel said : — 

" Brave Roderick, though the tempest roar, 

It may but thunder and pass o'er ; 

Nor will I here remain an hour. 

To draw the lightning on thy bower ; 

For well thou know'st, at this gray head 

The royal bolt were fiercest sped. 



T H E L A D V O F T H E L A K E . 69 

For thee, who at thy King's command, 
Canst aid him with a gallant band. 
Submission, homage, humbled pride. 
Shall turn the monarch's wrath aside. 
Poor remnants of the Bleeding Heart, 
Ellen and I will seek, apart, 
The refuge of some forest cell, 
There, like the hunted quarry, dwell, 
Till on the mountain and the moor, 
The stern pursuit be passed and o'er." 

XXX. 

"No, by mine honour," Roderick said, 
" So help me. heaven, and my good blade ! 
No, never ! Blasted be yon Pine. 
My fathers' ancient crest and mine, 
If from its shade in danger part 
The lineage of the Bleeding Heart ! 
Hear my blunt speech: Grant me this maid 
To wife, thy counsel to mine aid ; 
To Douglas, leagued with Rhoderick Dhu, 
Will friends and allies flock enow ; 
Like cause of doubt, distrust, and grief, 
Will band to us each Western Chief. 
When the loud pipes my bridal tell, 
The Links of Forth shall hear the knell. 
The guards shall start in Stirling's porch ; 
And, when I light the nuptial torch, 
A thousand villages in flames, 



70 THELADYOFTHELAKE. 

Shall scare the slumbers of King- James I 
— Nay, Ellen, blench not thus away. 
And, mother, cease these signs, I pray ; 
I meant not all my heart might say. — 
Small need of inroad or of fight, 
When the sage Douglas may unite 
Each mountain clan in friendly band. 
To guard the passes of their land, 
Till the foiled king, from pathless glen, 
Shall bootless turn him home agen." 

XXXI. 

There are who have, at midnight hour, 

In slumber scaled a dizzy tower, 

And, on the verge that beetled o'er 

The ocean-tide's incessant roar. 

Dreamed calmly out their dangerous dream, 

Till wakened by the morning beam ; 

When, dazzled by the eastern glow, 

Such startler cast his glance below, 

And saw unmeasured depth around. 

And heard unintermitted sound. 

And thought the battled fence so frail. 

It waved like cobweb in the gale ; 

Amid his senses' giddy wheel, 

Did he not desperate impulse feel, 

Headlong to plunge himself below, 

And meet the worst his fears foreshow ?— 

Thus, Ellen, dizzy and astound, 



T H E L A D Y O F T H E L A K E . 7I 

As sudden ruin yawned around, 
By crossing terrors wildy tossed. 
Still for the Douglas fearing most. 
Could scarce the desperate thought with- 
stand 
To buy his safety with her hand. 

XXXII. 

Such purpose dread could Malcolm spy 

In Ellen's quivering lip and eye, 

And eager rose to speak — but ere 

His tongue could hurry forth his fear. 

Had Douglas marked the hectic strife, 

Where death seemed combating with life ; 

For to her cheek, in feverish flood, 

One instant rushed the throbbing blood. 

Then ebbing back, with sudden sway. 

Left its domain as wan as clay. 

" Roderick, enough ! enough ! " he cried, 

'■ My daughter cannot be thy bride ; 

Not that the blush, to wooer dear. 

Nor paleness that of maiden fear. 

It may not be— forgive her, Chief, 

Nor hazard aught for our relief. 

Against his sovereign; Douglas ne'er 

Will level a rebellious spear. 

'Twas I that taught his youthful hand 

To rein a steed and wield a brand ; 

I see him yet, the princely boy ! 







^"^ i^^^>_^7' 



V-- 



■"-"A 



THELADYOFTHELAKE. 73 

Not Ellen more my pride and joy ; 
I love him still, despite my wrongs, 
By hasty wrath, and slanderous tongues. 
O seek the grace you well may find, 
Without a cause to mine combined." 

XXXIII. 

Twice through the hall the Chieftain 

strode : 
The waving of his tartans broad, 
And darken'd brow, where wounded pride 
With ire and disappointment vied. 
Seemed, by the torch's gloomy light, 
Like the ill Demon of the night, 
Stooping his pinions' shadowy sway 
Upon the nighted pilgrim's way : 
But, unrequited Love ! thy dart 
Plunged deepest its envenomed smart. 
And Roderick, with thine anguish stung. 
At length the hand of Douglas wrung. 
While eyes, that mocked at tears before. 
With bitter drops were running o er. 
The death-pangs of long-cherished hope 
Scarce in that ample breast had scope, 
But, struggling with his spirit proud. 
Convulsive heaved its chequered shroud, 
While every sob — so mute were all — 
Was heard distinctly through the hall. 
The son's despair, the mother's look, 



74 T H E L A D \- I ) F I H E L A K E . 

Ill might the gentle Ellen brook ; 
She rose, and lo her side there came, 
To aid her parting steps, the Graeme. 

XXXIV. 

Then Roderick from the Douglas broke^ 
As flashes flame through sable smoke. 
Kindling its wreaths, long, dark, and low 
To one broad blaze of ruddy glow, 
So deep the anguish of despair 
Burst, in fierce jealousy, to air. 
With stalwart grasp his hand he laid 
On Malcolm's breast and belted plaid ; 
" Back, beardless boy ! " he sternly said, 
" Back, minion ! hold'st thou thus at naught 
The lesson I so lately taught ? 
This roof, the Douglas, and that maid. 
Thank thou for punishment delayed," 
Eager as greyhound on his game. 
Fiercely with Roderick grappled Graeme. 
" Perish my name, if aught afford 
Its Chieftain safety save his sword ! " 
Thus as they strove, their desperate hand 
Griped to the dagger or the brand. 
And death had been— but Douglas rose, 
And thrust between the struggling foes 
His giant strength : — " Chieftains, forego ! 
I hold the first who strikes my foe. — 
Madmen, forbear your frantic jar ! 



T H E L A D V O F T H E L A K E . 75. 

What ! is the Douglas fallen so far, 

His daughter's hand is doomed the spoil 

Of such dishonourable broil ! " 

Sullen and slowly they unclasp, 

As struck with shame, their desperate 

grasp, 
And each upon his rival glared, 
With foot advanced, and blade half bared. 

XXXV. 

Ere yet the brands aloft were flung, 
Margaret on Roderick's mantle hung, 
And Malcolm heard his Ellen's scream, 
As faltered through terrific dream. 
Then Roderick plunged in sheath his sword, 
And veiled his wrath in scornful word. 
" Rest safe till morning ; pity 'twere 
Such cheek should feel the midnight air ! 
Then mayest thou to James Stuart tell 
Roderick will keep the lake and fell,. 
Nor lackey, with his freeborn clan, 
The pageant pomp of earthly man. 
More would he of Clan-Alpine know. 
Thou canst our strength and passes show, — 
Malise, what ho ! '' — his henchman came : 
"Give our safe-conduct to the Grceme." 
Young Malcolm answered, calm and bold, 
" Fear nothing for thy favourite hold ; 
The spot an angel deigned to grace 



76 T H E L A D Y O F T H E L A k' E . 

Is blessed, though robbers haunt the place. 
Thy churlish courtesy for those 
Reserve, who fear to be thy foes. 
As safe to me the mountain way 
At midnight as in blaze of day, 
Though with his boldest at his back 
Even Roderick Dhu beset the track.— 
Brave Douglas, — lovely Ellen, — nay. 
Naught here of parting will I say. 
Earth does not hold a lonesome glen, 
So secret, but we meet agen. — 
Chieftain ! we too shall find an hour," 
He said, and left the sylvan-bower. 

XXXVI. 

Old Allan followed to the strand, 
(Such was the Douglas's command). 
And anxious told, how, on the morn. 
The stern Sir Roderick deep had sworn. 
The Fiery Cross should circle o'er 
Dale, glen, and valley, down and moor. 
Much were the peril to the Graeme, 
From those who to the signal came ; 
Far up the lake 'twere safest land. 
Himself would row him to the strand. 
He gave his counsel to the wind. 
While Malcolm did unheeding bind, 
Round dirk and pouch and broadsword 
rolled, 



THE LADY OK THE LAKE. 

His ample plaid in tightened fold, 
And stripped his limbs to such array, 
As best might suit the watery way, — 

XXXVII. 

Then spoke abrupt : " Farewell to thee, 
Pattern of old fidelity ! " 
The Minstrel's hand he kindly pressed,— 
" O I could I point a place of rest 1 
My sovereign holds in ward my land, 
My uncle leads my vassal band ; 
To tame his foes, his friends to aid, 
Poor Malcolm has but heart and blade. 
Yet if there be one faithful Graeme, 
Who loves the Chieftain of his name. 
Not long shall honoured Douglas dwell, 
Like hunted stag in mountain cell ; 
Nor, ere yon pride-swollen robber dare — 
I may not give the rest to air ! 
Tell Roderick Dhu, I owed him nought, 
Not the poor service of a boat, 
To waft me to yon mountain side." 
Then plunged he in the flashing tide. 
Bold o'er the flood his head he bore. 
And stoutly steered him from the shore ; 
And Allan strained his anxious eye. 
Far 'mid the Lake his form to spy. 
Darkenings each acrospuny wave 
To which the moon her silver gave, 



78 T H E L A D V < ) F T H E L A K E . 

Fast as the cormorant could skim, 
The swimmer plied each active limb ; 
Then landing in the moonlit dell, 
Loud shouted of his weal to tell. 
The Minstrel heard the far halloo, 
And joyful from the shore withdrew. 



CANTO THIRD. 

THE GATHERING. 

Time rolls his ceaseless course. The race 
of yore, 
Who danced our infancy upon their knee, 
And told our marvelling boyhood legends 
store, 
Of their strange ventures happ'd by land 
or sea, 
How are they blotted from the things that 
be! 
How few, all weak, and withered of their 
force. 
Wait on the verge of dark eternity, 
Like stranded wrecks, the tide returning 
hoarse, 
To sweep them from our sight I Time rolls 
his ceaseless course. 



#ft 







k^ 



#3 






\ 






^4-.^iSl^ 



THE GATHERING. 



8o THELADYOFTHELAKE. 

Yet live there still who can remember well, 
How, when a mountain chief his bugle 
blew, 
Both field and forest, dingle, cliff, and dell, 

And solitary heath, the signal knew; 
And fast the faithful clan around him drew, 
What time the warning note was keenly 

wound. 
What time aloft their kindred banner fiew, 
While clamorous war-pipes yelled the 
gathering sound. 
And while the Fiery Cross glanced like a 
meteor round. 
II. 
The Summer dawn's reflected hue 
To purple changed Loch Katrine blue ; 
Mildly and soft the western breeze 
Just kissed the lake, just stirred the trees, 
\nd the pleased lake, like maiden coy, 
rembled but dimpled not for joy ; 
he mountain shadows on her breast 
Were neither broken nor at rest ; 
In bright uncertainly they lie, 
Like future joys to Fancy's eye. 
The water-lily to the light 
Her chalice reared of silver bright ; 
The doe awoke, and to the lawn, 
Begemmed with dewdrops, led her fawn ; 



T H E L A D \- O F THE LAKE. 8l 

The gray mist left the mountain side, 

The torrent shewed its glistening pride ; 

Invisible in flecked sky, 

The lark sent down her revelry ; 

The blackbird and the speckled thrush 

Good-morrow gave from brake and bush ; 

In answer cooed the cushat dove 

Her notes of peace, and rest, and love. 

III. 
No thought of peace, no thought of rest, 
Assuaged the storm in Roderick's breast. 
With sheathed broadsword in his hand, 
Abrupt he paced the islet strand, 
And eyed the rising sun, and laid 
His hand on his impatient blade. 
Beneath a rock, his vassals' care 
Was prompt the ritual to prepare. 
With deep and deathful meaning fraught ; 
For such Antiquity had taught 
Was preface meet, ere yet abroad 
The Cross of Fire should take its road. 
The shrinking band stood oft aghast 
At the impatient glance he cast , — 
Such glance the mountain eagle threw, 
As, from the cliffs of Ben venue. 
She spread her dark sails on the wind, 
And, high in middle heaven reclined. 
With her broad shadow on the lake, 
Silenced the warblers of the brake. 



U ^• op- THE LAKE. 



A heap of withered boug^hs was piled, 

Of juniper and rowan wild, 

Mingled with shivers from the oak, 

Rent by the lightning's recent stroke. 

Brian, the Hermit, by it stood, 

Barefooted, in his frock and hood. 

His grisled beard and matted hair 

Obscured a visage of despair ; 

His naked arms and legs, seamed o'er, 

The scars of frantic penance bore. 

That monk, of savage form and face. 

The impending danger of his race 

Had drawn from deepest solitude, 

Far in Benharrow's bosom rude. 

Not his the mien of Christian priest. 

But Druid's, from the grave released. 

Whose hardened heart and eye might brook 

On human sacrifice to look ; 

And much, 'twas said, of heathen lore 

Mixed in the charms he muttered o'er. 

The hallowed creed gave only worse 

And deadlier emphasis of curse ; 

No peasant sought that Hermit's prayer, 

His cave the pilgrim shunned with care, 

The eager huntsman knew his bound. 

And in mid chase called off his hound ; 

Or if, in lonely glen or strath, 



T H E L A D \' O F T H E L A K E . S3 

The desert dweller met his path, 

He prayed, and signed the cross between 

While terror took devotion's mien. 

V. 

Of Brian's birth strange tales were told. 

His mother watched a midniglit fold, 

Built deep within a dreary glen, 

Where scattered lay the bones of men, 

In some forgotten battle slain. 

And bleached by drifting wind and rain. 

It might hsve tamed a warrior's heart, 

To view such mockery of his art ! 

The knot-grass fettered there the hand. 

Which once could burst an iron band ; 

Beneath the broad and ample bone, 

That bucklered heart to fear unknown, 

A feeble and a timorous guest. 

The field-fare framed her lowly nest ; 

There the slow blind-worm left his slime 

On the fleet wings that mocked at time: 

And there, too, lay the leader's skull, 

Still wreathed with chaplet, flushed and 

full. 
For heath-bell, with her purple bloom, 
Supplied the bonnet and the plume. 
All night, in this sad glen, the maid 
Sate, shrouded in her mantle's shade ; 
— She said, no shepherd sought her side. 



84 T H E I, A D V O F T H E L A K E . 

No hunter's hand her snood untied, 
Yet ne'er again to braid her hair 
The virgin snood did Alice wear ; 
Gone was her maiden glee and sport, 
Her maiden girdle all too short, 
Nor sought she from that fatal night 
Or holy church or blessed rite. 
But locked her secret in her breast, 
And died in travail unconfessed. 

VI. 

Alone among his young compeers, 
Was Brian from his infant years ; 
A moody and heart-broken boy, 
Estranged from sympathy and joy, 
Bearing each taunt which careless tongue 
On his mysterious lineage fiung. 
Whole nights he spent by moonlight pale. 
To wood and stream his hap to wail. 
Till, frantic, he as truth received 
What of his birth the crowd believed, 
And sought, in mist and meteor fire. 
To meet and know his Phantom Sire ! 
In vain, to soothe his wayward fate, 
The cloister oped her pitying gate ; 
In vain, the learning of the age 
Unclasped the sable-lettered page ; 
Even in its treasures he could find 
Food for the fever of his mind. 



T H E L A D V O F T H E L A K E . 85 

Eager he read whatever tells 

Of mag-ic, cabala, and spells, 

And every dark pursuit allied 

To curious and presumptuous pride ; 

Till with fired brain and nerves o'erstrung, 

And heart with mystic horrors wrung. 

Desperate he sought Benharrow's den, 

And hid him from the haunts of men. 

VII. 

The desert gave him visions wild. 

Such as might suit the Spectre's child. 

Where with black cliffs the torrents toil, 

He watched the wheeling eddies boil, 

Till, from their foam, his dazzled eyes 

Beheld the river Demon rise ; 

The mountain mist took form and limb. 

Of noontide hag, or goblin grim ; 

The midnight wind came wild and dread. 

Swelled with the voices of the dead ; 

Far oh the future battle-heath 

His eye beheld the ranks of death : 

Thus the lone Seer, from mankind hurled, 

Shaped forth a disembodied world. 

One lingering sympathy of mind 

Still bound him to the mortal kind ; 

The only parent he could claim 

Of ancient Alpine's lineage came. 

Late had he heard, in prophet's dream. 



86 T H E L A D V O F T H E L A K E . 

The fatal Ben-Shie's boding scream ; 

Sounds, too, had come in midnight blast, 

Of charging steeds, careering fast 

Along Benharrow's shingly side. 

Where mortal horsemen ne'er might ride ; 

The thunderbolt had split the pine — 

All augured ill to Alpine's line. 

He girt his loins, and came to shew 

The signals of impending woe, 

And now stood prompt to bless or ban. 

As bade the chieftain of his clan. 

'Twas all prepared ; and from the rock, 
A goat, the patriarch of the flock, 
Before the kindling pile was laid. 
And pierced by Roderick's ready blade. 
Patient the sickening victim eyed 
The life-blood ebb in crimson tide, 
Down his clogged beard and shaggy limb. 
Till darkness glazed his eyeballs dim. 
The grisly priest, with murmuring prayer, 
A slender crosslet formed with care, 
A cubit's length in measure due : 
The shaft and limbs were rods of yew, 
Whose parents in Inch-Cailliach wave 
Their shadows o'er Clan-Alpine's grave, 
And, answering Lomond's breezes deep. 
Soothe many a chieftain's endless sleep. 



T H E L A U V O F T H E L A K E . 87 

The Cross, thus formed, he held on high, 
With wasted hand, and haggard eye. 
And strange and mingled feelings woke. 
While his anathema he spoke. 

IX. 

"Woe to the clansman, who shall view 
This symbol of sepulchral yew, 
P'orgetful that its branches grew 
Where weep the heavens their holiest dew 

On Alpine's dwelling low ! 
Deserter of his Chieftain's trust, 
He ne"er shall mingle with their dust, 
But, from his sires and kindred thrust, 
Each clansman's execration just 

Shall doom him wrath and woe.'" 
He paused ; the word the vassals took, 
With forward step and fiery look. 
On high their naked brands they shook, 
Their clattering targets wildly strook ; 

And first in murmur low, 
Then, like the billow in his course, 
That far to seaward finds his source, 
And flings to shore his mustered force, 
Burst with loud roar, their answer hoarse, 

" Woe to the traitor, woe : " 
Ben-an's gray scalp the accents knew, 
The joyous wolf from covert drew, 
The exulting eagle screamed afar — 
They knew the voice of Alpine's war. 



THE LADY OF THE 



The shout was hushed on lake and fell, 
The monk resumed his muttered spell : 
Dismal and low its accents came, 
The while he scathed the Cross with 

flame, 
And the few words that reached the air 
Although the holiest name was there, 
Had more of blasphemy than prayer. 
But when he shook above the crowd 
Its kindled points, he spoke aloud : 
" Woe to the wretch, who fails to rear 
At this dread sign the ready spear ! 
For, as the flames this symbol sear, 
His home, the refuge of his fear, 

A kindred fate shall know : 
Far o'er its roof the volumed flame 
Clan-Alpine's vengeance shall proclaim, 
"While maids and matrons on his name 
Shall call down wretchedness and shame, 

And infamy and woe." 
Then rose the cry of females, shrill 
As goss-hawk's whistle on the hill, 
Denouncing misery and ill 
Mingled with childhood's babbling trill 

Of curses stammered slow ; 
Answering, with imprecation dread, 
" Sunk be his home in embers red ! 



T H E L A D \- O F T H E L A K E . 8g 

And cursed be the meanest shed 
That e'er shall hide the houseless head 

We doom to want and woe ! " 
A sharp and shrieking echo gave, 
Coir-Uriskin, thy Goblin-cave ! 
And the gray pass where birches wave, 

On Beala-nam-bo. 

XI. 

Then deeper paused the priest anew, 
And hard his labouring breath he drew, 
While with set teeth and clenched hand, 
And eyes that glowed like fiery brand. 
He meditated curse more dread. 
And deadlier, on the clansman's head, 
Who, summoned to his Chieftain's aid. 
The signal saw and disobeyed. 
The crosslet's points of sparkling wood, 
He quenched among the bubbling blood, 
And. as again the sign he reared. 
Hollow and hoarse his voice was heard : 
" When flits this Cross from man to man, 
Vich- Alpine's summons to his clan, 
Burst be the ear that fails to heed ! . 
Palsied the foot that shuns to speed ! 
May ravens tear the careless eyes. 
Wolves make the coward heart their prize! 
As sinks that blood-stream in the earth. 
So may his heart's-blood drench his hearth ! 



go THELADNOFTHELAKE. 

As dies in hissing gore the spark, 
Quench thou his light, Destruction dark ! 
And be the grace to him denied, 
Bought by this sign to all beside !" 
He ceased ; no echo gave agen 
The murmur of the deep Amen. 

XII. 

Then Roderick, with impatient look, 

From Brian's hand the symbol took : 

" Speed, Malise, speed! " he said, and gave 

The crosslet to his henchman brave. 

" The muster-place be Lanrick mead — 

Instant the time— speed, Malise, speed ! " 

Like heath-bird when the hawks pursue, 

A barge across Loch Katrine flew : 

High stood the henchman on the prow : 

So rapidly the barge-men row, 

The bubbles, where they launched the boat. 

Were all unbroken and afloat, 

Dancing in foam and ripple still, 

When it had neared the mainland hill ; 

And from the silver beach's side 

Still was the prow three fathoms wide. 

When lightly bounded to the land 

The messenger of blood and brand. 

XIII. 

Speed, Malise, speed I the dun deer's hide 
On fleeter foot was never tied. 



THELADYOFTHELAKE. Ql 

Speed, Malise, speed ! such cause of hast-e 
Thine active sinews nev-er braced. 



''? e 


^.j 


■^ V 


A^";'. 


'-.-.. ,^ 


: .i^- 


%K 


^^-e'^ 



WHEN LIGHTLY BOUNDED TO THE LAND 
THE MESSENGER OF BLOOD AND BRAND. 

Bend 'gainst the steepy hill thy breast, 
Burst down like torrent from its crest ; 



92 



With short and springing footstep pass 
The trembling bog and false morass ; 
Across the brook like roebuck bound, 
And thread the brake like questing hound ; 
The crag is high, the scaur is deep, 
Yet shrink not from the desperate leap : 
Parched are thy burning lips and brow. 
Yet by the fountain pause not now ; 
Herald of battle, fate and fear. 
Stretch onward in thy fleet career ! 
The wounded hind thou track'st not now, 
Pursuest not maid through greenwood 

bough, 
Nor pliest thou now thy flying pace. 
With rivals in the mountain race ; 
But danger, death, and warrior deed, 
Are in thy course— speed, Maiise, speed. 

XIV. 

Fast as the fatal symbol flies. 
In 'arms the huts and hamlets rise j 
Frojm winding glen, from upland brown. 
They poured each hardy tenant down. 
Nor slacked the messenger his pace ; 
He shewed the sign, he named the place, 
And, pressing forward like the wind, 
Left clamour and surprise behind. 
The fisherman forsook the strand, 
The swarthy smith took dirk and brand ; 



T H E L A D Y O F T H E L A K E . 93 

With changed cheer, the mower blithe 
Left in the half-cut swathe the scythe ; 
The herds without a keeper strayed, 
The plough was in mid-furrow staid, 
The falc'ner tossed his hawk away, 
The hunter left the stag at bay ; 
Prompt at the signal of alarms, 
Each son of Alpine rushed to arms ; 
So swept the tumult and affray 
Along the margin of Achray, 
Alas, thou lovely lake ! that e'er 
Thy banks should echo sounds of fear! 
The rocks, the bosky thickets sleep 
So stilly on thy bosom deep, 
The lark's blithe carol, from the cloud. 
Seems for the scene too gaily loud. 

XV. 

Speed, Malise, speed ! the lake is past, 
Duncraggan's huts appear at last. 
And peep, like moss-grown rocks, half- 
seen, 
Half hidden in the copse so green ; 
There mayst thou rest, thy labour done, 
Their Lord shall speed the signal on.— 
As stoops the hawk upon his prey. 
The henchman shot him down the way. 
—What woeful accents load the gale ? 
The funeral yell, the female wail ! 



94 T H E L A D Y O F T H E L A K E . 

A gallant hunter's sport is o'er, 
A valiant warrior fights no more. 
Who, in the battle or the chase. 
At Roderick's side shall fill his place ! — 
Within the hall, where torches' ray 
Supplies the excluded beams of day, 
Lies Duncan on his lowly bier, 
And o'er him streams his widow's tear. 
His stripling son stands mournful by. 
His youngest weeps but knows not why, 
The village maids and matrons round 
The dismal coronach resound. 



CORONACH. 

He is gone on the mountain. 

He is lost to the forest, 
Like a summer-dried fountain, 

When our need was the sorest. 
The font, reappearing 

From the rain-drops shall borrow. 
But to us comes no cheering, 

To Duncan no morrow ! 
The hand of the reaper 

Takes the ears that are hoary, 
But the voice of the weeper 

Wails manhood in glory. 
The autumn winds rushing 

Waft the leaves that are searest, 



THE L A D \- OF THE LAKE. 

But our flower was in flushing^, 
When blighting- was nearest. 

Fleet foot on the correi,* 

Sage counsel in cumber, 
Red hand in the foray, 

How sound is thy slumber ! 
Like the dew on the mountain, 

Like the foam on the river, 
Like the bubble on the fountain, 

Thou art gone, and forever ! 

x\"n. 
See Stumah,t who. the bier beside. 
His master's corpse with wonder eyed, 
Poor Stumah 1 whom his least halloo 
Could send like lightning o'er the dew. 
Bristles his crest, and points his ears, 
As if some stranger step he hears. 
'Tis not a mourner's muffled tread. 
Who comes to sorrow o'er the dead, 
But headlong haste or deadly fear 
Urge the precipitate career. 
All stand aghast : unheeding all, 
The henchman bursts into the hall ; 



* "Correi,"' the hollow side of the hill 
where game usually lies. 

t The name of a dog. The word is 
Celtic for "faithful." 



g6 THELADYOFTHEI, AKE. 

Before the dead man's bier he stood ; 
Held forth the Cross besmeared with 

blood ; 
" The muster-place is Lanrick mead ; 
Speed forth the signal ! clansman, speed ! " 

XVIII. 

Angus, the heir of Duncan's line, 
Sprung forth and seized the fatal sign. 
In haste the stripling to his side 
His father's dirk and broadsword tied ; 
But when he saw his mother's eye 
Watch him in speechless agony, 
Back to her opened arms lie flew. 
Pressed on her lips a fond adieu — 
" Alas ! " she sobbed — " and yet be gone, 
And speed thee forth, like Duncan's son I " 
One look he cast upon the bier, 
Dashed from his eye the gathering tear, 
Breathed deep to clear his labouring breast. 
And tossed aloft his bonnet crest. 
Then, like the high-bred colt, when, freed, 
First he essays his fire and speed. 
He vanished, and o'er moor and moss 
Sped forward with the Fiery Cross, 
Suspended was the widow's tear. 
While yet his footsteps she could hear ; 
And when she marked the henchman's 
eye, 



ADY OF THE LAKE, 



97 



Wet with unwonted sympathy, 

" Kinsman," she said, " his race is run, 

That should have sped thine errand on ; 

The oak has fallen — the sapling bough 

Is all Duncraggan's shelter now. 

Yet trust I well, his duty done, 

The orphan's God will guard my son. — 

And you, in many a danger true. 

At Duncan's hest your blades that drew, 

To arras, and guard that orphan's head ! 

Let babes and women wail the dead.'"' 

Then weapon-clang, and martial call, 

Resounded through the funeral hall, 

While from the walls the attendant band 

Snatched sword and targe, with hurried 

hand ; 
And short and flitting energy 
Glanced from the mourner's sunken eye, 
As if the sounds to warrior dear 
Might rouse her Duncan from his bier. 
But faded soon that borrowed force ; 
Grief claimed his right, and tears their 

course. 

XIX. 

Benledi saw the Cross of Fire, 
It glanced like lightning up Strath-Ire. 
O'er dale and hill the summons flew. 
Nor rest nor pause young Angus knew ; 



90 T H E L A D ^- O K T H E L A 1< E . 

The tear that gathered in his eye 

He left the mountain-breeze to dry ; 

Until, where Teith's young waters roll. 

Betwixt him and a wooded knoll, 

That graced the sable strath with green, 

The chapel of Saint Bride was seen. 

Swoln was the stream, remote the bridge, 

But Angus paused not on the edge ; 

Though the dark waves danced dizzly 

Though reeled his sympathetic eye. 

He dashed amid the torrent's roar : 

His right hand high the crosslet bore. 

His left the pole-axe grasped, to guide 

And stay his footing in the tide. 

He stumbled twice -the foam splashed 

high. 
With hoarser swell the stream raced by ; 
And had he fallen— for ever there, • 
Farewell Duncraggan's orphan heir ! 
But still, as if in parting life, 
Firmer he grasped the Cross of strife. 
Until the opposing bank he gained. 
And up the chapel pathway strained. 

XX. 

A blithesome rout that morning tide, 
Had sought the chapel of Saint Bride. 
Her troth Tombea's Mary gave 
To Norman, heir of Armandave, 



T H E L A D V O F T H E L A K E . QQ 

And, issuing from the Gothic arch, 
The bridal now resumed their march. 
In rude, but glad procession, came 
Bonneted sire and coif-clad dame ; 
And plaided youth, with jest and jeer, 
Which snooded maiden would not hear : 
And children, that, unwitting why. 
Lent the gay shout their shrilly cry ; 
And minstrels, that in measures vied 
Before the young and bonny bride. 
Whose downcast eye and cheek disclose 
The tear and blush of morning rose. 
With virgin step, and bashful hand. 
She held the 'kerchief's snowy band ; 
The gallant bridegroom, by her side. 
Beheld his prize with victor's pride, 
And the glad mother in her ear 
Was closely whispering word of cheer. 

XX :. 
Who meets them at the churchyard gate.? 
The messenger of fear and fate ! 
Haste in his hurried accent lies, 
And grief is swimming in his eyes. 
All dripping from the recent flood, 
Panting and travel-soiled he stood, 
The fatal sign of fire and sword 
Held forth and spoke the appointed word : 
" The muster-place is Lanrick mead : 



r. 



A. 











i^^ 






t X 






'HE BRIDAL NOW RESUMED THEIR MARCH, 



THE LAUVOFTHE LAKE. lOI 

Speed forth the signal ! Norman, speed ! " 
And must he change so soon the hand, 
Just linked to his by holy band. 
For the fell Cross of blood and brand ? 
And must the day, so blithe that rose, 
And promised rapture in the close, 
Before its setting hour, divide 
The bridegroom from the plighted bride ? 
O fatal doom !— it must ! it must ! 
Clan-Alpine's cause, her Chieftain's trust, 
Her summons dread, brook no delay ; 
Stretch to the race — away ! away ! 

XXII. 

Yet slow he laid his plaid aside. 
And, lingering, eyed his lovely bride. 
Until he saw the starting tear 
Speak woe he might not stop to cheer ; 
Then, trusting not a second look. 
In haste he sped him up the brook. 
Nor backward glanced, till on the heath 
Where Lubnaig's lake supplies the Teith. 
— What in the racer's bosom stirred ? 
The sickening pang of hope deferred, 
And memory, with a torturing train 
Of all his morning visions vain. 
Mingled v^^ith love's impatience, came 
The manly thirst for martial fame : 
The stormy joy of mountaineers, 



I02 T H E L A I) V O F T H E L A K E . 

Ere yet they rush upon the spears : 

And zeal for Clan and Chieftain burning, 

And hope, from well-fought field returning-, 

With war's red honours on his crest, 

To clasp his Mary to his breast. 

Stung by such thoughts, o'er bank and 

brae. 
Like fire from flint he glanced awa3% 
While high resolve, and feeling strong. 
Burst into voluntary song, 
win. 

SONG. 

The heath this night must be my bed. 
The bracken curtain for my head, 
My lullaby the warder's tread, 

Far, far, from love and thee, Mary ; 
To-morrow eve, more stilly laid, - 
My couch may be ray bloody plaid. 
My vesper song, thy wail, sweet maid ! 

It will not waken me, Mary ! 
I may not, dare not, fancy now. 
The grief that clouds thy lovely brow, 
I dare not think upon thy vow. 

And all it promised me, Mary. 
No fond regret must Norman know ; 
When bursts Clan-Alpine on the foe, 
His heart must be like bended bow. 

His foot like arrow free, Mary. 



A time will come with feeling fraught, 
For, if I fall in battle fought. 
Thy hapless lover's dying thought 

Shall be a thought on thee, Mary. 
And if returned from conquered foes, 
How blithely will the evening close. 
How sweet the linnet sing repose. 

To my young bride and me. Mary ! 

XXIV. 

Not faster o'er thy heathery braes. 

Balquidder, speeds the midnight blaze. 

Rushing, in conflagration strong. 

Thy deep ravines and dells along. 

Wrapping thy cliffs in purple glow. 

And reddening the dark lakes below ; 

Nor faster speeds it, nor so far, 

As o'er thy heaths the voice of war. 

The signal roused to martial coil. 

The sullen margin of Loch Voil. 

Waked still Loch Doine, and to the source 

Alarmed. Balvaig, thy swampy course ; 

Thence southward turned its rapid road 

Adown Strath-Gartney's valley broad. 

Till rose in arms each man might claim 

A portion in Clan- Alpine's name 

From the gray sire, whose trembling hand 

Could hardly buckle on his brand. 

To the raw boy, whose shaft and bow 



I04 THE I. A n V OF THE LAKE. 

Were yet scarce terror to the crow. 

Each valley, each sequestered glen, 

Mustered its little horde of men, 

That met as torrents from the height 

In Highland dales their streams unite, 

Still gathering-, as they pour along, 

A voice more loud, a tide more strong, 

Till at the rendezvous they stood 

By hundreds, prompt for blows and blood 

Each trained to arms since life began, 

Owning no tie but to his clan, 

No oath, but by his chieftain's hand. 

No law, but Roderick Dhu's command. 

XXV, 

That summer morn had Roderick Dhu 
Surveyed the skirts of Benvenue, 
And sent his scouts o'er hill and heath. 
To view the frontiers of Menteith. 
All backward came with news of truce ; 
Still lay each martial Graeme and Bruce, 
In Rednock courts no horsemen wait, 
No banner waved on Cardross gate. 
On Duchray's towers no beacon shone, 
Nor scared the herons from Loch Con : 
All seemed at peace. — Now, wot ye why 
The Chieftain, with such anxious eye, 
Ere to the muster he repair, 
This western frontier scanned with care?— 



THE LAD VOFTHE LAKE. 

In Benvenue's most darksome cleft, 
A fair, though cruel, pledge was left : 
For Douglas, to his promise true. 
That morning from the isle withdrew. 
And in a deep sequestered dell 
Had sought a low and lonely cell. 
By many a bard, in Celtic tongue, 
Has Coir-nan-Uriskin been sung ; 
A softer name the Saxons gave. 
And called the grot the Goblin-cave. 

XXVI. 

It was a wild and strange retreat. 
As e'er was trod by outlaw's feet. 
The dell, upon the mountain's crest. 
Yawned like a gash on warrior's breast ; 
Its trench had staid full many a rock. 
Hurled by primeval earthquake shock 
From Benvenue's gray summit wild. 
And here, in random ruin piled, 
They frowned incumbent o'er the spot. 
And formed the rugged sylvan grot. 
The oak and birch, with mingled shade, 
At noontide there a twilight made. 
Unless when short and sudden shone 
Some straggling beam on cliff or stone 
With such a glimpse as prophet's eye 
Gains on thy depth, Futurity. 
No murmur waked the solemn still, 



Io6 THE L A D V OF THE LAKE. 

Save tinkling of a fountain rill ; 
But when the wind chafed with the lake, 
A sullen sound would upward break, 
With dashing- hollow voice, that spoke 
The incessant war of wave and rock. 
Suspended clifiEs with hideous sway 
Seemed nodding o'er the cavern gray. 
From such a den the wolf had sprung, 
In such the wild-cat leaves her young ; 
Yet Douglas and his daughter fair 
Sought for a space their safety there. 
Gray Superstition's whisper dread 
Debarred the spot to vulgar tread ; 
For there, she said, did fays resort, 
And satyrs* hold their sylvan court, 
By moonlight tread their mystic maze, 
And blast the rash beholder's gaze. 

xxvn. 
Now eve, with western shadows long, 
Floated on Katrine bright and strong, 
When Roderick, with a chosen few, 
Repassed the heights of Benvenue. 
Above the Goblin-cave they go, 
Through the wild pass of Beal-nam-bo : 
The prompt retainers speed before, 



* The Highlanders had a mythological 
satyr or urisk. 



THE LAD\- OF THE LAKE. I07' 

To launch the shallop from the shore, 

For cross Loch Katrine lies his way 

To view the passes of Achray, 

And place his clansmen in array. 

Yet lags the chief in musing- mind, 

Unwonted sight, his men behind. 

A single page, to bear his sword. 

Alone attended on his lord ; 

The rest their way through thickets break, 

And soon await him by the lake. 

It was a fair and gallant sight. 

To view them from the neighbouring height, 

By the low-levelled sunbeam's light ! 

For strength and stature, from the clan 

Each warrior was a chosen man, 

As even afar might well be seen, 

By their proud step and martial mien. 

Their feathers dance, their tartans float, 

Their targets gleam, as by the boat 

A wild and war-like group they stand. 

That well became such mountain-strand. 



XXVIII. 

Their Chief, with step reluctant, still 
Was lingering on the craggy hill, 
Hard by where turned apart the road 
To Douglas's obscure abode. 
It was but with that dawning morn. 











--' r^'~.:.. 



A WILD AND WAR-Mk'E GROUP THEV STAND. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. lOQ 

That Roderick Dhu had proudly sworn 
To drown his love in war's wild roar, 
Nor think of Ellen Douglas more ; 
But he who stems a stream with sand. 
And fetters flame with flaxen band, 
Has yet a harder task to prove- 
By firm resolve to conquer love ! 
Eve finds the Chief, like restless ghost. 
Still hovering near his treasure lost ; 
For though his haughty heart deny 
A parting meeting to his eye. 
Still fondly strains his anxious ear, 
The accents of her voice to hear, 
And inly did he curse the breeze 
That waked to sound the rustling trees. 
But hark ! what mingles in the strain ? 
It is the harp of Allan-Bane, 
That wakes its measure slow and high. 
Attuned to sacred minstrelsy. 
What melting voice attends the strings ? 
'Tis Ellen, or an angel, sings. 



HYMN TO THE VIRGIN. 

Ave Maria ! maiden mild . 

Listen to a maiden's prayer ! 
Thou canst hear though from the wild, 

Thou canst save amid despair. 



lO THELADYOFTHELAKE. 

Safe may we sleep beneath ihy care, 
Though banished, oulcasl, and re- 
viled — 
Maiden ! hear a maiden's prayer ; 
Mother, hear a suppliant child ! 

A ve M 117-7 a ! 

Ave Maria / undetiled ! 

The flinty couch we now must share 
Shall seem with down of eider piled, 

If thy protection hover there. 
The murky cavern's heavy air 

Shall breathe of balm if thou hast 
smiled ; 
Then Maiden ! hear a maiden's prayer ; 

Mother, list, a suppliant child 1 

Ave Maria ! 

Ave Maria ! stainless styled ! 

Foul demons of the earth and air. 
From this their wonted haunt exiled, 

Shall flee before thy presence fair. 
We bow us to our lot of care, 

Beneath thy guidance reconciled ; 
Jlear for a maid a maiden's prayer, 

And for a father hear a child I 

Ave Maria ! 



THE LADY OFTHE LAKE. Ill 

XXX. 

Died on the harp the closing- hymn- 
Unmoved in attitude and hmb, 
As listening still, Clan-Alpine's lord 
Stood leaning on his heavy sword, 
Until the page, with humble sign, 
Twice pointed to the sun's decline. 
Then while his plaid he round him cast, 
" It is the last time — 'lis the last," 
He muttered thrice, — " the last time e'er 
That angel voice shall Roderick hear ! " 
It was a goading thought— his stride 
Hied hastier down the mountain-side ; 
Sullen he flung him in the boat, 
And instant 'cross the lake it shot. 
They landed in that silvery bay. 
And eastward held their hasty way, 
Till with the latest beams of light. 
The band arrived on Lanrick height, 
Where mustered in the vale below, 
Clan-Alpine's men in martial show. 

XXXI 

A various scene the clansmen made. 
Some sate, some stood, some slowly 

strayed ; 
But most with mantles folded round. 
Were couched to rest upon the ground, 
Scarce to be known by curious eye. 



112 THE LADV OK THE LAKE. 

From the deep heather where they lie, 
So well was matched the tartan screen 
With heath-bell dark and brackens green ; 
Unless where, here and there, a blade. 
Or lance's point, a glimmer made. 
Like glow-worm twinkling through the 

shade. 
But when, advancing through the gloom. 
They saw the Chieftain's eagle plume, 
Their shout of welcome, shrill and wide, 
Shook the steep mountain's steady side. 
Thrice it arose, and lake and fell 
Three times returned the martial yell ; 
It died upon Bochastle's plain. 
And Silence claimed her evening reign. 



CANTO FOURTH. 

THE PROPHECY. 
I. 

" The rose is fairest when 'tis budding new, 
And hope is brightest when it dawns 
from fears ; 
The rose is sweetest washed with morning 
dew, 
And love is loveliest when embalmed in 
tears. 



T H E L .. D Y O F T H E L A K E . II5 

O wilding- rose, whom fancy thus endears, 

I bid your blossoms in my bonnet wave, 

Emblem of hope and love through future 

years ! " 
Thus spoke young Norman, heir of Ar- 

mandave. 
What time the sun arose on Vennachar's 

broad wave. 

II. 
Such fond conceit, half said, half sung, 
Love prompted to the bridegroom's tongue. 
All while he stripped the wild -rose spray, 
His axe and bow beside him lay, 
For on a pass 'twixt lake and wood, 
A wakeful sentinel he stood. 
Hark ! on the rock a footstep rung. 
And instant to his arms he sprung. 
"Stand, or thou diest !^What, Malise? 

— soon 
Art thou returned from Braes of Doune. 
By thy keen step and glance I know, 
Thou bring'st us tidings of the foe." 
(For while the Fiery Cross hied on, 
On distant scout had Malise gone.) 
'• Where sleeps the Chief ? " the henchman 

said. — 
*' Apart in yonder misty glade ; 
To his lone couch I'll be your guide." — 




STAND, OR THOU DIEST ! 



THE LADN-OFTHE LAKE. II5 

Then called a slumberer by his side, 
And stirred him with his slackened bow 
" Up, up, Glentarkin ! rouse thee, ho ! 
We seek the Chieftain ; on the track, 
Keep eagle watch till I comeback." 

in. 
Tog-ether up the pass they sped : 
" What of the foeman ? " Norman said.^ 
" Varying reports from near and far ; 
This certain — that a band of war 
Has for two days been ready boune, 
At prompt command, to march from Doune; 
King James, the while, with princely 

powers, 
Holds revelry in Stirling towers. 
Soon will this dark and gathering cloud 
Speak on our glens in thunder loud. 
Inured to bide such bitter bout. 
The warrior's plaid may bear it out : 
But, Norman, how wilt thou provide 
A shelter for thy bonny bride ? "" 
'■ What ! know ye not that Roderick's care 
To the lone isle hath caused repair 
Each maid and matron of the clan, 
And every child and aged man 
Unfit for arms ; and given his charge, 
Nor skifif nor shallop, boat nor barge, 
Upon these lakes shall float at large, 



I ID T H E L A U \- O F THE LAKE. 

But all beside the islet moor, 

That such dear pledge may rest secure ? " 

'"Tis well advised— the Chieftain's plan 

Bespeaks the father of his clan, 

But wherefore sleeps Sir Roderick Dhu 

Apart from all his followers true ? "— 

" It is because last evening-tide 

Brian an augury hath tried, 

Of that dread kind which must not be 

Unless in dread extremity. 

The Taghairm called ; by which, afar, 

Our sires foresaw the events of war. 

Duncraggan's milk-white bull they slew. 

]\IALISE. 

" Ah ! well the gallant brute I knew ! 
The choicest of the prey we had, 
When swept our merry-men Gallangad. 
His hide was snow, his horns were dark, 
His red eye glowed like liery spark ; 
So fierce, so tameless, and so fleet, 
Sore did he cumber our retreat. 
And kept our stoutest kernes in awe, 
Even at the pass of Beal 'maha. 
But steep and flinty was the road. 
And sharp the hurrying pikemen's goad^ 
And when we came to Dennan's Row, 
A child might scaihless stroke his brow." 



THELADVOFTHELAKE. II 

V. 
NORMAN. 

*' That bull was slain : his reeking- hide 
They stretched the cataract beside. 
Whose waters their wild tumult toss 
Adown the black and crag-gy boss 
Of that huge cliff, whose ample verge 
Tradition calls the Hero's Targe. 
Couched on a shelve beneath its brink, 
Close where the thundering torrents sink, 
Rocking beneath their headlong sway, 
And drizzled by the ceaseless spray, 
Midst groan of rock, and roar of stream, 
The wizard waits prophetic dream. 
Nor distant rests the Chief ; but hush ! 
See, gliding slow through mist and bush, 
The hermit gains yon rock, and stands 
To gaze upon our slumbering bands. 
Seems he not, Malise, like a ghost, 
That hovers o'er a slaughtered host ? 
Or raven on the blasted oak, 
That, watching while the deer is broke, 
His morsel claims with sullen croak ? " 

MALISE. 

— " Peace ! peace ! to other than to me. 
Thy words were evil augury : 
But still I hold Sir Roderick's blade 
Clan-Alpine's omen and her aid. 



1 18 T H E L A D Y O F T H E L A K E . 

Not aught that, gleaned from heaven or 

hell, 
Yon fiend-begotten monk can tell. 
The Chieftain joins him, see— and now, 
Together they descend the brow." 

VI. 

And as they came, with Alpine's Lord 
The Hermit Monk held solemn word : — 
" Roderick ! it is a fearful strife. 
For man endowed with mortal life, 
Whose shroud of sentient clay can still 
Feel feverish pang and fainting chill. 
Whose eye can stare in stony trance, 
Whose hair can rouse like warrior's lance, — 
'Tis hard for such to view unfurled 
The curtain of the future world. 
Yet, witness every quaking limb. 
My sunken pulse, mine eyeballs dim, 
My soul with harrowing anguish torn,— 
This for my Chieftain have 1 borne 1 — 
The shapes that sought my fearful couch, 
A human tongue may ne'er avouch ; 
No mortal man, — save he, who, bred 
Between the living and the dead, 
Is gifted beyond nature's law, — 
Had e'er survived to say he saw. 
At length the fateful answer came. 
In characters of living fiame 1 



THE LADV OF THE LAKE. i: 

Not spoke in word, nor blazed in scroll, 
But borne and branded on my soul ; — 

Which spills the fore.mcjst foeman 

LIFE, 

That paktv coxoteks ix the strife!" 

VII. 

" Thanks Brian, for thy zeal and care ! 
Good is thine augury, and fair, 
Clan-Alpine ne'er in battle stood, 
But first our broadswords tasted blood. 
A surer victim still I know. 
Self-offered to the auspicious blow ; 
A spy has sought my land this morn,^ 
No eve shall witness his return ! 
My followers guard each pass's mouth, 
To ease, to westward, and to south ; 
Red Murdoch, bribed to be his guide. 
Has charge to lead his steps aside. 
Till, in deep path or dingle brown, 
He light on those shall bring him down. 
— But see, who comes his news to show ! 
Malise ! what tidings of the foe ? " — 



" At Doune, o'er many a spear and glaive, 
Two Barons proud their banners wave. 
I saw the Moray's silver star. 
And marked the sable pale of Mar," — 



I20 THE LADY OFTHE LAKE. 

*' By Alpine's soul, high tidings those! 

I love to hear of worthy foes. 

When move they on?" — ''To-morrow's 

noon 
Will see them here for battle boune." — 
*' Then shall it see a meeting stern ! — 
But, for the place— say, couldst thou learn 
Nought of the friendly clans of Earn? 
Strengthened by them, we well might bide 
The battle on Benledi"s side. 
Thou couldst not?— Well! Clan-Alpine's 

men 
Shall man the Trossach's shaggy glen ; 
Within Loch Katrine's gorge we'll tight. 
All in our maids' and matrons' sight, 
Each for his hearth and household tire, 
Father for child, and son for sire, — 
Lover for maid beloved ! — But why — 
Is it the breeze affects mine eye? 
Or dost thou come, ill-omened tear, 
A messenger of doubt or fear ? 
No! sooner may the Saxon lance 
Untix Benledi from his stance, 
Than doubt or terror can pierce through 
The unyielding heart of Roderick Dhu ! 
'Tis stubborn as his trusty targe. — 
Each to his post!— all know their charge." 
The pibroch sounds, the bands advance, 



THE LADV OF THE LAKE. 121 

The broadswords gleam, the banners dance, 
Obedient to the Chieftain's glance. 
— I turn me from the martial roar. 
And seek Coir-Uriskin once more. 

IX. 

Where is the Douglas ? — he is gone ; 
And Ellen sits on the gray stone 
Fast by the cave, and makes her moan 
"While vainly Allan's words of cheer 
Are poured on her unheeding ear. — 
*' He will return— Dear lady, trust ! — 
With joy return ; — he will — he must. 
Well was it time to seek, afar, 
Some refuge from impending war, 
When e'en Clan-Alpine's rugged swarm 
Are cowed by the approaching storm. 
I saw their boats with many a light. 
Floating the live-long yesternight, 
Shifting like flashes darted forth 
By the red streamers of the north ; 
I marked at morn how close they ride, 
Thick moored by the lone islet's side. 
Like wild ducks couching in the fen, 
When stoops the hawk upon the glen. 
Since this rude race dare not abide 
The peril on the mainland side, 
Shall not thy noble father's care 
Some safe retreat for thee prepare ? "— 



THE LADY (IF THE LAKE, 



" No, Allan, no! Pretext so kind 

My wakeful terrors could not blind. 

When in such tender tone, yet grave, 

Douglas a parting blessing gave. 

The tear that glistened in his eye 

Drowned not his purpose fixed on high. 

My soul, though feminine and weak. 

Can image his; e'en as the lake. 

Itself disturbed by slightest stroke. 

Reflects the invulnerable rock. 

He hears report of battle rife. 

He deems himself the cause of strife. 

I saw him redden, when the theme 

Turned, Allan, on thine idle dream. 

Of Malcolm Graeme in fetters bound, 

Which I, thou saidst, about him wound. 

Think'st thou he trowed thine omen aught? 

Oh no! 'twas apprehensive thought 

For the kind youth, — for Roderick too — 

(Let me be just) that friend so true ; 

In danger both, and in our cause ! 

Minstrel, the Douglas dare not pause. 

Why else that solemn warning given, 

' If not on earth, we meet in heaven I ' 

Why else, to Cambus-kenneth's fane, 

If eve return him not again. 

Am I to hie, and make me known ? 



THELADYOFTHELAKE. 12 

Alas ! he goes to Scotland's throne, 
Buys his friend's safety with his own ;— 
He goes to do — what I had done, 
Had Douglas' daughter been his son ! " 

XI, 

" Nay, lovely Ellen ! — dearest, nay ! 
If aught should his return delay, 
He only named yon holy fane 
As fitting place to meet again. 
Be sure he's safe ; and for the Graeme, — 
Heaven's blessing on his gallant name !— 
My visioned sight may yet prove true, 
Nor bode of ill to him or you. 
When did my gifted dream beguile ? 
Think of the stranger at the isle. 
And think upon the harpings slow, 
That presaged this approaching woe ! 
Sooth was my prophecy of fear ; 
Believe it when it augurs cheer. 
Would we had left this dismal spot ! 
Ill luck still haunts a fairy grot. 
Of such a wondrous tale I know — 
Dear lady, change that look of woe, 
My harp was wont thy grief to cheer." — 

ELLEN. 

" Well, be it as thou wilt ; I hear. 
But cannot stop the bursting tear." 
The Minstrel tried his simple art. 
But distant far was Ellen's heart. 



124 THE L A D V OF THE LAKE. 

Xll. 
BALLAD. 

Alice Brand 
Merry it is in the good greenwood, 

When the mavis * and merle t are singing, 
When the deer sweeps by, and the hounds 
are in cry. 
And the hunter's horn is ringing. 

" O Alice Brand, my native land 

Is lost for love of you ; 
And we must hold by w^ood and wold, 

As outlaws wont to do. 

" O Alice, 'twas all for thy locks so bright, 
And 'twas all for thine eyes so blue, 

That on the night of our luckless flight, 
Thy brother bold I slew. 

" Now must I teach to hew the beech 
The hand that held the glaive. 

For leaves to spread our lowly bed, 
And stakes to fence our cave. 

"And for vest of pall, thy fingers small, 
That wont on harp to stray, 



* "Mavis," a thrush, 
t " Merle," a blackbird. 



THE L A D V O p- T H E LAKE. I25, 

A cloak must sheer from the slaughtered 
deer, 
To keep the cold away." — 

** O Richard ! if my brother died, 

'Twas but a fatal chance, 
For darkling was the battle tried. 

And fortune sped the lance. 

" If pall and vair no more I wear. 

Nor thou the crimson sheen, 
As warm, we'll say, is the russet gray 

As gay the forest green. 

" And, Richard, if our lot be hard. 

And lost thy native land. 
Still Alice has her own Richard, 

And he his Alice Brand." 

XIII. 
BALLAD CONTINUED. 

'Tis merry, 'tis merry, in good greenwood, 
So blithe Lady Alice is singing ; 

On the beech's pride, and oak's brown 
side, 
Lord Richard's a.xe is ringing. 

Up spoke the moody Elfin King, 
Who wonned within the hill, — 

Like wind in the porch of a ruined church, 
His voice was ghostly shrill. 



126 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

*' Why sounds yon stroke on beech and oak, 
Our moonlight circle's screen? 

Or who comes here to chase the deer, 
Beloved of our Elfin Queen ? 

Or who may dare on wold to wear 
The fairies' fatal green. 

" Up, Urgan, up ! to yon mortal hie, 
For thou wert christened man ; 

For cross or sign thou wilt not fly. 
For muttered word or ban. 

" Lay on him the curse of the withered 
heart. 
The curse of the sleepless eye ; 
Till he wish and pray that his life would 
part, 
Nor yet find leave to die." 

XIV. 
BALLAD CONTINUED. 

'Tis merry, 'tis merry, in. good greenwood. 
Though the birds have stilled their sing- 
ing ; 

The evening blaze doth Alice raise. 
And Richard is faggots bringing. 

Up Urgan starts, that hideous dwarf 

Before Lord Richard stands, 
And, as he crossed and blessed himself. 



THE LADY OFTHE LAKE. 12 

" I fear not sign," quoth the grisly elf, 
"■That is made with bloody hands." 

But out then spoke she, Alice Brand, 

That woman void of fear, — 
" And if there's blood upon his hand, 
'Tis but the blood of deer." 

" Now loud thou liest, thou bold of mood ? 

It cleaves unto his hand, 
The stain of thine own kindly blood, 

The blood of Ethert Brand. 

Then forward stepped she, Alice Brand, 

And made the holy sign, — 
" And if there's blood on Richard's hand, 

A spotless hand is mine. 

"And I conjure thee, Demon elf. 

By Him whom Demons fear, 
To show us whence thou art thyself. 

And what thine errand here ? "^ 



BALLAD CO^'T^NUED. 

" 'Tis merry, 'tis merry in Fairy-land, 

When fairy birds are singing, 
When the court doth ride by their mon- 
arch's side. 

With bit and bridle ringing : 



I2a THE L A U V OF THE LAKE. 

"And gaily shines the Fairy-land— 

But all is glistening- show. 
Like the idle gleam that December's beam 

Can dart on ice and snow. 

" And fading, like that varied gleam, 

Is our inconstant shape, 
Who now like knight and lady seem, 

And now like dwarf and ape. 

" It was between the night and day. 
When the Fairy King has power. 

That I sunk down in a sinful fray. 

And 'twi.xt life and death, was snatched 
away 
To the joyless Elfin bower. 

" But wist I of a woman bold, 
Who thrice my brow durst sign, 

I might regain my mortal mould, 
As fair a form as thine." 

She crossed him once — she crossed him 
twice — 

That lady was so brave ; 
The fouler grew his goblin hue, 

The darker grew the cave. 

She crossed him thrice, that lady bold ; 
He rose beneath her hand 



THELADYOFTHELAKE. I2Q 

The fairest knight on Scottish mold, 
Her brother, Eihert Brand I 

Merry it is in good greenwood, 
When the mavis and merle are singing, 

But merrier were they in Dunfermline gray, 
When all the bells were ringing. 

XVI. 

Just as the minstrel sounds were staid, 

A stranger climbed the steepy glade : 

His martial step, his stately mien, 

His hunting suit of Lincoln green. 

His eagle glance, remembrance claims — 

'Tis Snowdoun's Knight, 'tis James Fitz- 

James. 
Ellen beheld as in a dream, 
Then, starting, scarce suppressed a scream ; 
" O stranger ! in such hour of fear, 
What evil hap has brought thee here? " — 
" An evil hap how can it be. 
That bids me look again on thee ? 
By promise bound, my former guide 
Met me betimes this morning tide. 
And marshalled, over bank and bourne, 
The happy path of my return."— 
" The happy path !— what ! said he nought 
Of war, of battle to be fought, 
Of guarded pass? " — " No, by my faith ! 




ELLEN I'.EHELD AS IN A UKEA.^L 



THE I. A D \' OF THE LAKE. I3I 

Nor saw I aught could augur scathe."— 
" O haste thee, Allan, to the kern, 
Yonder his tartans I discern ; 
Learn thou his purpose, and conjure 
That he will guide the stranger sure ! — 
What prompted thee, unhappy man '; 
The meanest serf in Roderick's clan 
Had not been bribed by love or fear. 
Unknown to him to guide thee here." — 

XVII. 

** Sweet Ellen, dear my life must be. 

Since it is worthy care from thee ; 

Yet life I hold but idle breath. 

When love or honour's wfeighed with death. 

Then let me profit by my chance. 

And speak my purpose bold at once. 

I come to bear thee from a wild. 

Where ne'er before such blossom smiled ; 

By this soft hand to lead thee far 

From frantic scenes of feud and war. 

Near Bochastle my horses wait ; 

They bear us soon to Stirling gate. 

I'll place thee in a lovely bower, 

I'll guard thee like a tender flower" . 

"O! hush, Sir Knight! 'twere female art, 
To say I do not read thy heart ; 
Too much, before, my selfish ear 
Was idly soothed my praise to hear. 



132 THE LAUY OF THE LAKE. 

That fatal bait hath lured thee back, 

In deathful hour, o'er dangerous track: 

And how, O how, can I atone 

The wreck my vanity brought on ! 

One way remains — I'll tell him all — 

Yes ! struggling bosom, forth it shall ! 

Thou, whose light folly bears the blame. 

Buy thine own pardon with thy shame ! 

But first — my father is a man 

Outlawed and exiled, under ban ; 

The price of blood is on his head. 

With me 'twere infamy to wed. — 

Still wouldst thou speak ?— then hear the 

truth ! 
Fitz-James, there is a noble youth, — 
If yet he is ! — exposed for me 
And mine to dread extremity — 
Thou hast the secret of my heart : 
Forgive, be generous, and depart ! " 

XVIII. 

Fitz-James knew every wily train 
A lady's fickle heart to gain ; 
But here he knew and felt them vain. 
There shot no glance from Ellen's eye. 
To give her steadfast speech the lie ; 
In maiden confidence she stood, 
Though mantled in her cheek the blood, 
And told her love with such a sigh 



THELADVOFTHELAKE. 133 

Of deep and hopeless agony, 

As death had sealed her Malcolm's doom, 

And she sate sorrowing on his tomb. 

Hope vanished from Fitz-James's eye. 

But not with hope fled sympathy. 

He proffered to attend her side, 

As brother would a sister guide. ^ 

" O ! little knowst thou Roderick's heart ! 

Safer for both we go apart. 

O haste thee, and from Allan learn. 

If thou mayst trust yon wily kern." 

With hand upon his forehead laid. 

The conflict of his mind to shade, 

A parting step or two he made ; 

Then, as some thought had crossed his 

brain, 
He paused, and turned, and came again. 

XIX. 

" Hear, lady, yet, a parting word ! — 
It chanced in fight that my poor sword 
Preserved the life of Scotland's lord. 
This ring the grateful monarch gave, 
And bade when I had boon to crave. 
To bring it back, and boldly claim 
The recompense that I would name. 
Ellen, I am no courtly lord. 
But one who lives by lance and sword, 
Whose castle is his helm and shield, 



T 34 T H E L A D V OF THE LAKE. 

His lordship the embattled field. 

What from a prince can I demand, 

Who neither reck of state nor land ? 

Ellen, thy hand -the ring is thine ; 

Each guard and usher knows the sign. 

Seek thou the king without delay; 

This signet shall secure thy way : 

And claim thy suit, whate'er it be, 

As ransom of his pledge to me." 

He placed the golden circlet on. 

Paused— kissed her hand — and then was 

gone. 
The aged Minstrel stood aghast, 
So hastily Fitz-James shot past. 
He joined his guide, and wending down 
The ridges of the mountain brown. 
Across the stream they took their way, 
That joins Loch Katrine to Achray. 

XX. 

All in the Trosachs' glen was still. 
Noontide was sleeping on the hill ; 
Sudden his guide whooped loud and high— 
" Murdoch ! was that a signal cry ? '" 
He stammered forth, — " I shout to scare 
Yon raven from his dainty fare." 
He looked— he knew the raven's prey, 
His own brave steed :— " Ah ! gallant gray ! 
For thee— for me, perchance — "twcre well 



THE LADVOFTHE LAKE. 135 

We ne'er had seen the Trosach's dell. — 
Murdoch, move first — but silently ; 
Whistle or whoop, and thou shalt die ! " 
Jealous and sullen on they fared, 
Each silent, each upon his guard. 

XXI. 

Now wound the path its dizzy ledge 
Around a precipice's edge. 
When lo ! a wasted female form, 
Blighted by wrath of sun and storm, 
In tattered weeds and wild array, 
Stood on a clif¥ beside the way. 
And glancing round her restless eye. 
Upon the wood, the rock, the sky, 
Seemed nought to mark, yet all to spy. 
Her brow was wreathed with gaudy broom ; 
With gesture wild she waved a plume 
Of feathers, which the eagles fling 
To crag and cliff from dusky wing ; 
Such spoils her desperate step had sought, 
Where scarce was footing for the goat. 
The tartan plaid she first descried, 
And shrieked till all the rocks replied : 
As loud she laughed when near they drew. 
For then the Lowland garb she knew ; 
And then her hands she wildly wrung. 
And then she wept and then she sung — 
She sung !— the voice, in better time. 



136 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Perchance to harp or lute mig-ht chime : 
And now, tho' strained and roughened, still 
Rung- wildly sweet to dale and hill. 



SONG. 

" They bid me sleep, they bid me pray, 

They say my brain is warped and wrung — 
I cannot sleep on Highland brae, 

I cannot pray in Highland tongue. 
But were I now where Allan* glides. 
Or heard my native De\an's* tides, 
So sweetly would I rest and pray 
That Heaven would close my wintry day ! 

" 'Twas thus my hair they bade me braid, 
They made me to the church repair 

It was my bridal morn they said. 
And my true love would meet me there. 

But woe betide the cruel guile. 

That drowned in blood the morning smile ! 

And woe betide the fairy dream ! 

I only waked to sob and scream." 

XXIII. 

" Who is this maid ? what means her lay ? 
She hovers o'er the hollow wav. 



* " Allan " and " Devan," two rivers 
running through Stirling Plain, 



THE LA D Y O F THE L A KE . 137 

And flutters wide her mantle gray, 
As the lone heron spreads his wing, 
By twilight o'er a haunted spring." 
■"Tis Blanche of Devan," Murdoch said, 
"A crazed and captive Lowland maid, 
Ta'en on the morn she was a bride. 
When Roderick forayed Devan-side 
The gay bridegroom resistance made. 
And felt our Chief's unconquered blade. 
I marvel she is now at large, 
But oft she 'scapes from Maudlin's 

charge. — 
Hence, brain-sick fool ! "—He raised his 

bow : — 
*' Now, if thou strik'st her but one blow, 
I'll pitch thee from the cliff as far 
As ever peasant pitched a bar ! " — 
"Thanks, champion, thanks !" the Maniac 

cried, 
And pressed her to Fitz-James's side. 
" See the gray pennons I prepare, 
To seek my true love through the air: 
I will not lend that savage groom. 
To break his fall, one downy plume ! 
No ! — deep amid disjointed stones. 
The wolves shall batten on his bones. 
And then shall his detested plaid, 
By bush and briar in mid air staid, 



J 3*5 T H E L A D V O F T H E L A K E. 

Wave forth a banner fair and free, 
Meet signal for their revelry." 

XXIV. 

" Hush thee, poor maiden, and be still i " — 
" O ! thou look'st kindly, and I will.— 
Mine eye has dried and wasted been. 
But still it loves the Lincoln green ; 
And, though mine ear is all unstrung, 
Still, still it loves the Lowland tongue. 

"' For O my sweet William was forester 
true. 
He stole poor Blanche's heart away ! 
His coat it was all of the greenwood hue. 
And so blithely he trilled the Lowland 
lay! 

" It was not that I meant to tell, 
But thou art wise and guessest well.'' 
Then in a low and broken tone, 
And hurried note, the song w ent on. 
Still on the Clansman, fearfully, 
She fixed her apprehensive eye ; 
Then turned it on the Knight, and then 
Her look glanced wildly o'er the glen. 

XXV. 

" The tolls are pitched, and the stakes 
are set, 
Ever sing merrily, merrily ; 



THE L A D V O F T H E LAKE. I39 

The bows they bend, and the knives they 
whet, 
Hunters live so cheerily. 

" It was a stag, a stag of ten,* 
Bearing his branches sturdily ; 

He came stately down the glen, 
Ever sing hardily, hardily. 

" It was there he met with a wounded 
doe. 

She was bleeding deathfully ; 
She warned him of the toils below, 

O, so faithfully, faithfully ! 

" He had an eye, and he could heed, 

Ever sing warily, warily ; 
He had a foot, and he could speed — 

Hunters watch so narrowly." 

XXVI. 

Fitz-James's mind was passion tossed. 
When Ellen's hints and fears were lost ; 
But Murdoch's shout suspicion wrought, 
And Blanche's song conviction brought. — 
Not like a stag that spies the snare. 
But lion of the hunt aware, 
He waved at once his blade on high, 



* Of ten branches to his antlers ; a royal 
or noble deer. 



I40 THELADYOFTHELAKE. 

" Disclose thy treachery, or die i " 

Forth at full speed the Clansman flew. 

But in his race his bow he drew. 

The shaft just grazed Fitz-James's crest, 

And thrilled in Blanche's faded breast,— 

Murdoch of Alpine ! prove thy speed, 

For ne'er had Alpine's son such need ! 

With heart of fire, and foot of wind, 

The fierce avenger is behind ! 

Fate judges of the rapid strife — 

The forfeit death — the prize is life ! 

Thy kindred ambush lies before, 

Close couched upon the heathery moor ; 

Them couldst thou reach — it may not be— 

Thine ambushed kin thou ne"er shalt see. 

The fiery Saxon gains on thee ! 

— Resistless speeds the deadly thrust, 

As lightning strikes the pine to dust •, 

With foot and hand Fitz-James must strain, 

Ere he can win his blade again. 

Bent o'er the fallen with falcon eye. 

He grimly smiled to see him die ; 

Then slower wended back his way. 

Where the poor maiden bleeding lay. 

XXVII. 

She sate beneath the birchen tree. 
Her elbow resting on her knee ; 
She had withdrawn the fatal shaft, 




MURDOCH OF ALPINE ! 



142 THELADYOFTHELAKE. 

And gazed on it, and feebly laughed ; 
Her wreath of broom and feathers gray, 
Daggled with blood, beside her lay. 
The Knight to stanch the life-stream 

tried,— 
" Stranger, it is in vain ! " she cried. 
" This hour of death has given me more 
Of reason's power than years before ; 
For, as these ebbing veins decay. 
My frenzied visions fade away. 
A helpless, injured wretch I die. 
And something tells me in thine eye, 
That thouwert mine avenger born. — 
Seest thou this tress ?— O ! still I've worn 
This little tress of yellow hair. 
Through danger, frenzy, and despair I 
It once was bright and clear as thine. 
But blood and tears have dimmed its shine. 
I will not tell thee when 'twas shred, 
Nor from what guiltless victim's head— 
My brain would turn !— but it shall wave 
Like plumage on thy helmet brave. 
Till sun and wind shall bleach the stain. 
And thou wilt bring it me again.— 
I waver still.— O God ! more bright 
Let reason beam her parting light ! — 
O ! by thy knighthood's honoured sign. 
And for thy life preserved by mine. 



T H E L A D Y O F T H E L A K E . I43 

When thou shall see a darksome man. 
Who boasts him Chief of Alpine's Clan, 
With tartans broad and shadowy plume, 
And hand of blood, and brow of gloom, 
Be thy heart bold, thy weapon strong. 
And wreak poor Blanche of Devan's 

wrong ! — 
The} watch for thee by pass and fell . . , 
Avoid the path . . . O God ! . . . . fare- 
well." 

XXVIII. 

A kindly heart had brave Fitz-James ; 

Fast poured his eyes at pity's claims, 

And now with mingled grief and ire, 

He saw the murdered maid expire. 

"God, in my need, be my relief, 

As I wreak this on yonder Chief ! " 

A lock from Blanche's tresses fair 

He blended with her bridegroom's hair ; 

The mingled bi-aid in blood he dyed, 

And placed it on. his bonnet-side : 

" By Him whose word is truth ! I swear, 

No other favour will I wear, 

Till this sad token I imbrue 

In the best blood of Roderick Dhu 1 

— But hark ! what means yon faint halloo ? 

The chase is up — but they shall know, 

'^he stag at bay's a dangerous foe." 



ADY OF THE LAKE. 



Barred from the known but guarded way, 
Through copse and cliffs Fitz-James must 

stray, 
And oft must change his desperate track. 
By stream and precipice turned back 
Heartless, fatigued, and faint, at length, 
From lack of food and loss of strength, 
He couched him in a thicket hoar, 
And thought his toils and perils o'er : — 
" Of all my rash adventures past. 
This frantic feat must prove the last ! 
Who e'er so mad but might have guessed, 
That all this Highland hornet's nest 
Would muster up in swarms so soon 
As e'er they heard of bands at Doune ?— 
Like bloodhounds now they search me 

out,— 
Hark, to the whistle and the shout !— 
If farther through the wilds I go, 
I only fall upon the foe : 
rU couch me here till evening gray. 
Then darkling try my dangerous way." 

XXIX. 

The shades of eve come slowly down. 
The woods are wrapt in deeper brown, 
The owl awakens from her dell. 
The ox is heard upon the fell ; 
Enough remains of glimmering light 



T K E L A D Y O F T H E L A K E . 145 

To guide the wanderer's steps aright. 
Yet not enough from far to show 
His figure to the watchful foe. 
With cautious step, and ear awake, 
He climbs the crag and threads the brake ; 
And not the summer solstice, there, 
Tempered the midnight mountain air, 
But every breeze that swept the wold, 
Benumbed his drenched limbs with cold. 
In dread, in danger, and alone, 
Famished and chilled, through ways un- 
known. 
Tangled and steep, he journeyed on ; 
Till, as a rock's huge point he turned, 
A watch-fire close before him burned. 

XXX. 

Beside its embers red and clear. 
Basked, in his plaid, a mountaineer; 
And up he sprung with sword in hand, — 
" Thy name and purpose ! Saxon, 

stand ! "— 
" A stranger." — " What dost thou re- 
quire ? " 
" Rest and a guide, and food and fire. 
My life's beset, my path is lost, 
The gale has chilled my limbs with frost." 
" Art thou a friend to Roderick ? " — " No." 
" Thou darest not call thyself a foe ? "— 



146 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

" I dare ! to him and all the band 

He brings to aid his murderous hand." 

" Bold words !— but, though the beast of 

game 
The privilege of chase may claim, — 
Though space and law the stag we lend, 
Ere hound we slip, or bow we bend. 
Who ever recked, where, how, or when, 
The prowling fox was trapped or slain ? 
Thus treacherous scouts, — yet sure they lie, 
Who say thou earnest a secret spy ! "' 
" They do, by heaven !— Come Roderick 

Dhu, 
And of his clan the boldest two, 
And let me but till morning rest, 
I write the falsehood on their crest." — 
" If by the blaze I mark aright, 
Thou bear'st the belt and spur of 

Knight."— 
*' Then by these tokens may'st thou know 
Each proud oppressor's mortal foe." — 
" Enough, enough ; sit down and share 
A soldier's couch, a soldier's fare." 

XXXI. 

He gave him of his Highland cheer, 
The hardened flesh of mountain deer ; 
Dry fuel on the lire he laid, 
And bade the Saxon share his plaid. 



THELADYOFTHELAKE. 147 

He tended him like welcome guest, 

Then thus his further speech addressed. 

" Stranger, 1 am to Roderick Dhu 

A clansman born, a kinsman true ; 

Each word against his honour spoke, 

Demands of me avenging stroke : 

Yet more, — upon thy fate 'lis said, 

A mighty augury is laid, 

It rests with me to wind my horn,— 

Thou art with numbers overborne 

It rests with me, here, brand to brand. 

Worn as thou art, to bid thee stand ; 

But, not for clan nor kindred's cause. 

Will I depart from honour's laws. 

To assail a wearied man were shame, 

And stranger is a holy name : 

Guidance and rest, and food and fire 

In vain he never must require. 

Then rest thee here till dawn of day ; 

Myself will guide thee on the way, 

0"er stock and stone, through watch and 

ward. 
Till past Clan-Alpine's outmost guard. 
As far as Coilantogle's ford : 
From thence thy warrant is thy sword." — 
" I take thy courtesy, by heaven. 
As freely as 'tis nobly given ! " 
" Well, rest thee ; for the bittern's cry 



148 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Sings US the lake's wild lullaby.'' 
With that he shook the gathered heath, 
And spread his plaid upon the wreath ; 
And the brave foemen, side by side. 
Lay peaceful down like brothers tried. 
And slept until the dawning beam, 
Purpled the mountain and the stream. 



CANTO FIFTH. 

THE CO:\IBAT. 
I. 

Fair as the earliest beam of eastern light, 
When tirst by the bewildered pilgrim 
spied, 
It smiles upon the dreary brow of night. 
And silvers o'er the torrent's foaming 
tide, 
And lights the fearful path on mountain 
side, 
Fair as that beam, although the fairest 
far. 
Giving to horror grace, to danger pride. 
Shine martial Faith, and Courtesy's 
bright star, 
Through all the wreckful storms that cloud 
the brow of War. 



HE L A U V OF THE LAKE. 



That early beam, so fair and sheen, 
Was twinkling- through the hazel screen, 
When, rousing at its glimmer red, 
The warriors left their lowly bed, 
Looked out upon the dappled sky, 
Muttered their soldier matins by. 
And then awaked their fire, to steal. 
As short and rude, their soldier meal. 
That o'er, the Gael around him threw 
His graceful plaid of varied hue. 
And, true to promise, led the way, 
By thicket green and mountain gray. 
A wildering path .'—they winded now 
Along the precipice's brow, 
Commanding the rich scenes beneath. 
The windings of the Forth and Teith, 
And all the vales between that lie. 
Till Stirling's turrets melt in sky ; 
Then, sunk in copse, their farthest g-lance 
Gained not the length of horseman's lance. 
'Twas oft so steep, the foot was fain 
Assistance from the hand to gain ; 
So tangled oft, that bursting through, 
Each hawthorn shed her showers of dew,— 
That diamond dew, so pure and clear. 
It rivals all but Beauty's tear I 



150 THE 1. A D V OF THE LAKE. 

III. 

At length they came where, stern and steep, 

The hill sinks down upon the deep. 

Here Vennachar in silver flows. 

There, ridge on ridge, Benledi rose ; 

Ever the hollow path twined on. 

Beneath steep bank and threatening stone ; 

An hundred men might hold the post 

With hardihood against a host. 

The rugged mountain's scanty cloak 

Was dwartish shrubs of birch and oak. 

With shingles bare, and cliffs between. 

And patches bright of bracken green, 

And heather black, that waved so high. 

It held the copse in rivalry. 

But where the lake slept deep and still, 

Dank osiers fringed the swamp and hill : 

And oft both path and hill were torn. 

Where wintry torrents down had borne, 

And heaped upon the cumbered land 

Its wreck of gravel, rocks, and sand. 

So toilsome was the road to trace. 

The guide, abating of his pace. 

Led slowly through the pass's jaws, 

And asked Fitz-James by what strange 

cause 
He sought these wilds? traversed by few. 
Without a pass from Roderick Dhu. 



THE I. A U V OF THE LAKE. 



" Brave Gael, my pass in danger tried, 
Hangs in my belt and by my side ; 
Yet, sooth to tell," the Saxon said, 
" I dreamt not now to claim its aid. 
When here, but three days since, I came, 
Bewildered in pursuit of game. 
All seemed as peaceful and as still 
As the mist slumbering on yon hill ; 
Thy dangerous Chief was then afar, 
Nor soon expected back from war. 
Thus said, at least, my mountain-guide. 
Though deep, perchance, the villain 

lied."— 
" Yet why a second venture try ? " 
" A warrior thou, and ask me why ! — 
Moves our free course by such rixed cause, 
As gives the poor mechanic laws ; 
Enough, I sought to drive away 
The lazy hours of peaceful day : 
Slight cause will then suffice to guide 
A Knight's free footsteps far and wide — 
A falcon flown, a greyhound strayed, 
The merry glance of mountain maid : 
Or, if a path be dangerous known, 
The danger's self is lure alone." 

v, 
" Thy secret keep, I urge thee not : — 
Yet, ere again ye sought this spot, 



152 T H E L A D Y O F T H E L A K E . 

Say, heard ye nought of Lowland war, 
Against Clan-Alpine, raised by Mar? " 
— " No, by my word ;— of bands prepared 
To guard King James's sports I heard ; 
Nor doubt I aught, but, when they hear 
This muster of the mountaineer, 
Their pennons will abroad be flung. 
Which else in Doune had peaceful hung."— 
" Free be they flung ! — for we were loth 
Their silken folds should feast the moth. 
Free be they flung !— as free shall wave 
Clan-Alpine's pine in banner brave. 
But, Stranger, peaceful since you came, 
Bewildered in the mountain game, 
Whence the bold boast by which you show 
Vich-Alpine's vowed and mortal foe ? " — 
" Warrior, but yester-morn, I knew 
Nought of thy Chieftain, Roderick Dhu, 
Save as an outlawed desperate man, 
The chief of a rebellious clan, 
Who, in the Regent's court and sight, 
With ruffian dagger stabbed a knight : 
Yet this alone might from his part 
Sever each true and loyal heart." 

VI. 

Wrathful at such arraignment foul. 
Dark lowered the clansman's sable scowl. 
A space he paused, then sternly said 



THE LAUV OF THE LAKE. I53 

" And heard 'st thou why he drew his blade ? 
Heard'st thou that shameful word and blow 
Broug-ht Roderick's vengeance on his foe ? 
What wrecked the Chieftain if he stood 
On Highland heath or Holy-Rood ? 



,1 ,__^- 



s»&y: 



HOLV-KOOD. 

He rights such wrong where it is given, 
If it were in the court of heaven." — 
" Still was it outrage ; — yet, 'tis true, 
Not then claimed sovereignty his due ; 
While Albany, with feeble hand. 
Held borrowed truncheon of command, 
The young King, mewed in Stirling tower. 
Was stranger to respect and power. 
But then, thy Chieftain's robber life : 



154 T H E L A D Y O F T H E L A K E . 

Winning mean prey by causeless strife, 
Wrenching from ruined Lowland swain 
His herds and harvest reared in vain. — 
Methinks a soul, like thine, should scorn 
The spoils from such foul foray borne." 

VII. 

The Gael beheld him grim the while, 

And answered with disdainful smile, — 

" Saxon, from yonder mountain high, 

I marked thee send delighted eye. 

Far to the south and east, where lay, 

E.xtended in succession gay. 

Deep waving fields and pastures green, 

With gentle slopes and groves between :- 

These fertile plains, that softened vale, 

Were once the birthright of the Gael ; 

The stranger came with iron hand, 

And from our fathers reft the land. 

Where dwell we now? See, rudely swell 

Crag over crag, and fell o'er fell. 

Ask we this savage hill we tread. 

For fattened steer or household bread : 

Ask we for flocks these shingles dry, 

And well the mountain might reply,— 

' To you as to your sires of yore. 

Belong the target and claymore ! 

J give you shelter in my breast. 

Your own good blades must win the rest.' 



THE LADY OFTHE LAKE. I55. 

Pent in this fortress of the North, 

Think'st thou we will not sally forth, 

To spoil the spoiler as we may, 

And from the robber rend the prey ? 

Ay, by my soul ! — While on yon plain 

The Saxon rears one shock of grain ; 

While, of ten thousand herds, there strays 

But one along yon river's maze,— 

The Gael, of plain and river heir. 

Shall, with strong hand, redeem his share. 

Where live the mountain chiefs who hold 

That plundering Lowland field and fold 

Is aught but retribution true ? 

Seek other cause "gainst Roderick Dhu." — 

VIII. 

Answered Fitz-James, — "And, if I sought,. 

Think'st thou no other could be brought ? 

What deem ye of my path waylaid ? 

My life given o'er to ambuscade? " — 

" As of a meed to rashness due ; 

Hadst thou sent warning fair and true, — 

I seek my hound, or falcon strayed, 

I seek, good faith, a Highland maid,— 

Free hadst thou been to come and go ; 

But secret path marks secret foe. 

Nor yet, for this, even as a spy, 

Hadst thou, unheard, been doomed to die^ 

Save to fulfil an augury." — 



1 5t) T H E L A D Y O F T H E L A 1< E . 

" Well, let it pass ; nor will I now 

Fresh cause of enmity avow, 

To chafe thy mood and cloud thy brow. 

Enough, I am by promise tied 

To match me with this man of pride : 

Twice have 1 sought Clan-Alpine's glen 

In peace : but when I come agen, 

I come with banner, brand, and bow, 

As leader seeks his mortal foe. 

For love-lorn swain, in lady's bower, 

Ne'er panted for the appointed hour, 

As I, until before me stand 

This rebel Chieftain and his band ! " — 

IX. 

*' Have then thy wish!" — He whistled 

shrill, 
And he was answered from the hill ; 
Wild as the scream of the curlew. 
From crag to crag the signal flew. 
Instant, through copse and heath, arose 
Bonnets and spears and bended bows ; 
On right, on left, above, below, 
Sprung up at once the lurking foe ; ' 
From shingles gray their lances start, 
The bracken bush sends forth the dart, 
The rushes and the willow-wand 
Are bristling into axe and brand. 
And every tuft of broom gives life 



THE LADVOFTHE LAKE. I57 

To plaided warrior armed for strife. 
That whistle garrisoned the glen 
At once with full five hundred men, 
As if the yawning hill to heaven 
A subterranean host had given. 
Watching their leader's beck and will, 
All silent there they stood, and still. 
Like the loose crags, whose threatening 

mass 
Lay tottering o'er the hollow pass, 
As if an infant's touch could urge 
Their headlong passage down the verge. 
With step and weapon forward flung, 
Upon the mountain-side they hung. 
The Mountaineer cast glance of pride 
Along Benledi's living side, 
Then fixed his eye and sable brow 
Full on Fitz-James— " How say'st thou 

now ? 
These are Clan-Alpine's warriors true ; 
And, Saxon, — I am Roderick Dhu ! " 

X. 

Fitz-James was brave: — Though to his 

heart 
The life-blood thrilled with sudden start, 
He manned himself with dauntless air. 
Returned the chief his haughty stare, 
His back against a rock he bore. 



158 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

And firmly placed his foot before : — 

" Come one, come all ! this rock shall fly 

From its firm base as soon as I." 

Sir Roderick marked — and in his eyes 

Respect was mingled with surprise, 

And the stern joy which warriors feel 

In foemen worthy of their steel. 

Short space he stood— then waved his hand : 

Down sunk the disappearing band ; 

Each warrior vanished where he stood, 

In broom or bracken, heath or wood ; 

Sunk brand and spear and bended bow, 

In osiers pale and copses low ; 

It seemed as if their mother Earth 

Had swallowed up her warlike birth. 

The wind's last breath had tossed in air, 

Pennon, and plaid, and plumage fair, — 

The next but swept a lone hill-side, 

Where heath and fern were waving wide : 

The sun's last glance was glinted back 

From spear and glaive, from targe and 

jack,— 
The next, all unreflected, shone 
On bracken green, and cold gray stone. 

XI. 

Fitz-James looked round — yet scarce be- 
lieved 
The witness that his sight received ; 



THELAD'i-OFTHELAKE. ic,, 

Such apparition well might seem 

Delusion of a dreadful dream. 

Sir Roderick in suspense he eyed, 

And to his look the Chief replied, 

" Fear nought — nay, that I need not say — 

But— doubt not aught from mine array. 

Thou art my guest ; — I pledged my word 

As far as Coilantogle ford : 

Nor would I call a clansman's brand 

For aid against one valiant hand, 

Though on our strife lay every vale 

Rent by the Sa.xon from the Gael. 

So move we on ; — I only meant 

To show the reed on which you leant, 

Deeming this path you might pursue 

Without a pass from Roderick Dhu.'' 

They moved : — I said Fitz-James wa: 

brave. 
As ever knight that belted glaive ; 
Yet dare not say, that now his blood 
Kept on its wont and tempered flood. 
As, following Roderick's stride, he drew 
That seeming lonesome pathway through, 
Which yet, by fearful proof, was rife 
With lances, that, to take his life. 
Waited but signal from a guide, 
So late dishonoured and defied. 
Ever, by stealth, his eye sought round 



l6o ■]• H E L A U V n F T H K I. A K E . 

The vanished guardians of the ground, 
And still, from copse and heather deep, 
Fancy saw spear and broadsword peep. 
And in the plover's shrilly strain, 
The signal whistle heard again. 
Nor breathed he free till far behind 
The pass was left ; for then they wind 
Along a wide and level green, 
Where neither tree nor tuft was seen, 
Nor rush, nor bush of broom was near. 
To hide a bonnet or a spear. 

XII. 

The Chief in silence strode before, 
And reached that torrent's sounding shore. 
Which, daughter of three mighty lakes. 
From Vennachar in silver breaks, 
Sweeps through the plain, and ceaseless 

mines 
On Bochastle the mouldering lines, 
Where Rome, the Empress of the world. 
Of yore her eagle wings unfurled. 
And here his course the Chieftain staid, 
Threw down his target and his plaid, 
And to the Lowland warrior said : — 
" Bold Saxon ! to his promise just, 
Yich-Alpine has discharged his trust. 
This murderous Chief, this ruthless man, 
This head of a rebellious clan. 



T H E L A D V O F T H E L A K E . l6l 

Haih led ihee safe through waich and 

ward, 
Far past Clan-Alpine's outmost guard. 
Now, man to man, and steel to steel, 
A chieftain's vengeance thou shalt feel. 
See here, all vantageless I stand, 
Armed, like thyself, with single brand ; 
For this is Coilantogle ford, 
And thou must keep thee with thy sword." 

XIII. 

The Sa.xon paused : — " I ne'er delayed. 
When foeman bade me draw my blade ; 
Nay, more, brave Chief, I vowed thy 

death : 
Yet sure thy fair and generous faith. 
And my deep debt for life preserved, 
A better meed have well deserved : 
Can nought but blood our feud atone ? ' 
Are there no means ?"—" No, Stranger 

none ! 
And hear,— to fire thy flagging zeal,— 
The Saxon cause rests on thy steel ; 
For thus spoke Fate, by prophet bred 
Between the living and the dead : 
' Who spills the foremost foeman's life. 
His party conquers in the strife.' "— 
" Then, by my word," the Saxon said, 
" Thy riddle is already read. 




v-^ , '.- ♦^• 



AND THOU MU 



ST KEEV THEE WITH THY SWORD. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 163 

Seek. yonder brake beneath the cliff, — 
There lies Red Murdoch, stark and stiff. 
Thus Fate has solved her prophecy. 
Then yield to Fate, and not to me. 
To James, at Stirling-, let us go, 
When, if thou wilt be still his foe, 
Or if the King shall not agree 
To grant thee grace and favour free, 
I plight mine honour, oath, and word, 
That., to thy native strengths restored. 
With each advantage shalt thou stand, 
That aids thee now to guard thy land." 

XIV. 

Dark lightning flashed from Roderick's 

eye — 
" Soars thy presumption, then, so high. 
Because a wretched kern ye slew, 
Homage to name to Roderick Dhu ? 
He yields not, he, to man nor Fate ! 
Thou add'st but fuel to my hate : — 
My clansman's blood demands revenge. 
Not yet prepared ? — By heaven, I change 
My thought, and hold thy valour light 
As that of some vain carpet knight. 
Who ill deserved my courteous care. 
And whose best boast is but to wear 
A braid of his fair lady''s hair.'" — 
*' I thank thee, Roderick, for the word ! 



t64 T H E L A D Y O F T H E L A K E . 

It nerves my heart, it steels my swcrd ; 
For I have sworn this braid to stain 
In the best blood that warms thy vein. 
Now, truce farewell ! and, ruth, begone ! — 
Yet think not that by thee alone. 
Proud Chief ! can courtesy be shown ! 
Though not from copse, or heath, or cairn. 
Start at my whistle clansmen stern, 
Of this small horn one feeble blast 
Would fearful odds against thee cast. 
But fear not — doubt not — which thou wilt— 
We try this quarrel hilt to hilt." — 
Then each at once his falchion drew. 
Each on the ground his scabbard threw. 
Each looked to sun, and stream, and plain, 
As what they ne'er might see again ; 
Then foot, and point, and eye opposed, 
In dubious strife they darkly closed. 

XV 

111 fared it then with Roderick Dhu, 
That on the field his targe he threw. 
Whose brazen studs and tough bull-hide 
Had death so often dashed aside : 
For, trained abroad his arms to wield, 
Filz-James's blade was sword and shield. 
He practised every pass and ward. 
To thrust, to strike, to feint, to guard ; 
While less expert, though stronger far, 



THELADVOFTHELAKE. 165 

The Gael maintained unequal war. 
Three times in closing strife they stood, 
And thrice the Saxon blade drank blood ; 
No stinted draught, no scanty tide, 
The gushing flood the tartans dyed. 
Fierce Roderick felt the fatal drain. 
And showered his blows like wintry rain ; 
And, as firm rock, or castle-roof. 
Against the winter shower is proof, 
The foe, invulnerable still. 
Foiled his wild rage by steady skill : 
Till, at advantage ta'en, his brand 
Forced Roderick's weapon from his hand. 
And backward borne upon the lea. 
Brought the proud chieftain to his knee. 

XVI. 

" Now, yield thee, or by Him who made 
The world, thy heart's blood dyes my 

blade ! " 
" Thy threats, thy mercy, I defy ! 
Let recreant yield, who fears to die." 
— Like adder darting from his coil, 
Like wolf that dashes through the toil. 
Like mountain-cat who guards her young. 
Full at Fitz-James's throat he sprung ; 
Received, but recked not of a wound, 
And locked his arms his foeman round.— 
Now, gallant Saxon, hold thine own ! 



l66 THE L A D V OF THE LAKE. 

No maiden's hand is round thee thrown i 
That desperate grasp thy frame might feel 
Through bars of brass and triple steel ? — 
They tug, they strain! down, down they go. 
The Gael above, Fitz-James below ; 
The Chieftain's gripe his throat com- 
pressed, 
His knee was planted on his breast ; 
His clotted locks he backward threw. 
Across his brow his hand he drew. 
From blood and mist to clear his sight, 
Then gleamed aloft his dagger bright ! — 
— But hate and fury ill supplied 
The stream of life's exhausted tide, 
And all too late the advantage came. 
To turn the odds of deadly game : 
For, while the dagger gleamed on high. 
Reeled soul and sense, reeled brain and 

eye, 
Down came the blow ! but in the heath 
The erring blade found bloodless sheath. 
The struggling foe may now unclasp 
The fainting Chief's relaxing grasp ; 
Unwounded from the dreadful close, 
But breathless all, Fitz-James arose. 

XVII 

He faltered thanks to Heaven for life. 
Redeemed, unhoped, from desperate strife ; 



167- 



Next on his foe his look ]ie cast, 
Whose every gasp appeared his last : 
In Roderick's gore he dipt the braid, — 
"Poor Blanche! thy wrongs are dearly^ 

paid : 
Yet with thy foe must die, or live 
The praise that Faith and Valour give." 
With that he blew a bugle-note. 
Undid the collar from his throat, 
Unbonneted, and by the wave 
Sate down his brow and hands to lave. 
Then faint afar are heard the feet 
Of rushing steeds in gallop fleet ; 
The sounds increase, and now are seen 
Four mounted squires in Lincoln green : 
Two who bear lance, and two who lead. 
By loosened rein, a saddled steed : 
Each onward held his headlong course. 
And by Fitz-James reined up his horse, — 
With wonder viewed the bloody spot — 
— "'Exclaim not, gallants ! question not. — 
You, Herbert and Luffness, alight. 
And bind the wounds of yonder knight ; 
Let the gray palfrey bear his weight, 
We destined for a fairer freight, 
And bring him on to Stirling straight: 
I will before at better speed, 
To seek fresh horse and fitting weed. 



l68 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

The sun rides high, I must be boune,* 
To see the archer-game at noon : 
But lightly Bayard clears the lea,— 
De Vaux and Herries, follow me.'' 

xvm. 
"Stand, Bayard, stand !" — the steed 

obeyed, 
With arching neck and bended head, 
And glancing eye and quivering ear. 
As if he loved his lord to hear. 
No foot Fitz-James in stirrup staid. 
No grasp upon the saddle laid, 
But wreathed his left hand in the mane, 
And lightly bounded from the plain, 
Turned on the horse his armed heel, 
And stirred his courage with the steel. 
Bounded the fiery steed in air. 
The rider sate erect and fair. 
Then like a bolt from steel crossbow 
Forth launched, along the plain they go. 
They dashed that rapid torrent through. 
And up Carhonie's hill they flew ; 
Still at the gallop pricked -the Knight, 
His merry-men followed as they might. 
Along thy banks, swift Teith ! they ride. 
And in the race they mocked thy tide ; 



Boune." prepared. 



LADV OF THE LAKE. 



.69 



Torry and Lendrick now are past, 
And Deanstown lies behind them cast ; 
They rise, the bannered towers of Doune, 
They sink in distant woodland soon ; 
Blair-Drummond sees the hoof strike fire, 




^%r 



GRAY STIRLING. 

They sweep like breeze through Ochter- 

tyre ; 
They mark just glance and disappear 
The lofty brow of ancient Kier : 
Thev bathe their coursers' sweltering sides, 



I70 THELADYOFTHELAKE. 

Dark Forth ! amid thy sluggish tides, 
And on the opposing shore take ground, 
With plash, with scramble, and with 

bound. 
Right hand they leave thy cliffs, Craig- 

Forth ! 
And soon the bulwark of the North, 
Gray Stirling, with her towers and town. 
Upon their fleet career looked down. 

.\!X. 

As up the flinty path they strained 

Sudden his steed the leader reined ; 

A signal to his squire he flung. 

Who instant to his stirrup sprung : — 

" Seest thou, De Vaux, yon woodsman 

gray. 
Who town-ward holds the rocky way, 
Of stature tall and poor array ? 
Mark'st thou the firm, yet active stride, 
With which he scales the mountain-side? 
Know"st thou from whence he comes, or 

whom ? " — 
" No, by my word ;— a burly groom 
He seems, who in the field or chase 
A baron's train would nobly grace." — 
" Out, out, De Vaux ! can fear supply. 
And jealousy, no sharper eye ? 
Afar, ere to the hill he dfew. 



THELADYOFTHELAKE. I7I 

That Stately form and step I knew ; 
Like form in Scotland is not seen. 
Treads not such step on Scottish green. 
"Tis James of Douglas, by Saint Serle ! 
The uncle of the banished Earl. 
Away, away, to court, to show 
The near approach of dreaded foe : 
The King must stand upon his guard : 
Douglas and he must meet prepared." 
Then right-hand wheeled their steeds, and 

straight 
They won the castle's postern gate. 

XX. 

The Douglas, who had bent his way 
From Cambus-Kenneth's abbey gray. 
Now, as he climbed the rocky shelf. 
Held sad communion with himself ! — 
" Yes, all is true my fears could frame : 
A prisoner lies the noble Graeme, 
And fiery Roderick soon will feel 
The vengeance of the royal steel. 
1, only I, can ward their fate, — 
God grant the ransom come not late ! 
The Abbess hath her promise given. 
My child shall be the bride of Heaven ; 
— Be pardoned one repining tear I 
For He, who gave her, knows how dear. 
How excellent ! but that is by. 



172 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

And now my business is— to die. 
— Ye towers ! within whose circuit dread 
A Douglas by his sovereign bled • 
And thou, O sad and fatal mound !* 
That oft hast heard the death-axe sound. 
As on the noblest of the land 
Fell the stern headsman's bloody hand, — 
The dungeon, block, and nameless tomb 
Prepare — for Douglas seeks his doom ! 
— But hark ! what blithe and jolly peal 
Makes the Franciscan steeple reel ? 
And see ! upon the crowded street. 
In motley groups what masquers meet ! 
Banner and pageant, pipe and drum, 
And merry morrice-dancers come. 
I guess, by all this quaint array. 
The burghers hold their sports to-day. 
James will be there ; he loves such show, 
Where the good yeoman bends his bow, 
And the tough wrestler foils his foe, 
As well as where, in proud career. 
The high-born tiller shivers spear. 
I'll follow to the Castle-park, 
And play my prize ; — King James shall 
mark. 



* A mound on the N. E. of Stirling 
Castle, where State criminals were exe- 
cuted. 



T H E L A D Y O F T H E L A K E . 373 

If age has tamed these sinews stark, 
Whose force so oft, in happier days. 
His boyish wonder loved to praise." 

XXI. 

The Castle gates were open fiunc:, 

The quivering drawbridge rocked and 

rung. 
And echoed loud the flinty street 
Beneath the coursers' clattering feet, 
As slowly down the steep descent 
Fair Scotland's King and nobles went, 
While all along the crowded way 
Was jubilee and loud huzza. 
And ever James was bending low. 
To his white jennet's saddle-bow. 
Doffing his cap to city dame, 
Who smiled and blushed for pride and 

shame. 
And well the simperer might be vain, — 
He chose the fairest of the train. 
Gravely he greets each city sire. 
Commends each pageant's quaint attire, 
Gives to the dancers thanks aloud, 
And smiles and nods upon the crowd, 
Who rend the heavens with their acclaims. 
" Long live the Commons' King, King 

James ! " 
Behind the King thronged peer and knight 



1 74 T H E L A D \' O F T H E L A K E . 

And noble dame and damsel bright, 
Whose fiery steeds ill brooked the stay 
Of the steep street and crowded way. 
— But in the train you might discern 
Dark lowering brow and visage stern ; 
There nobles mourned their pride re- 
strained, 
And the mean burgher's joys disdained ; 
And chiefs, who, hostage for their clan, 
Were each from home a banished man, 
There thought upon their own gray tower, 
Their waving woods, their feudal power. 
And deemed themselves a shameful part 
Of pageant which they cursed in heart. 

XXII. 

Now, in the Castle-park, drew out 
Their chequered bands the joyous rout. 
There morricers, with bell at heel, 
And blade in hand, their mazes wheel ; 
But chief, beside the butts, there stand 
Bold Robin Hood and all his band, — 
Friar Tuck with quarterstaff and cowl, 
Old Scathelocke with his surly scowl. 
Maid Marion, fair as ivory bone. 
Scarlet, and Mutch, and Little John ; 
Their bugles challenge all that will, 
In archery to prove their skill. 
-The Douglas bent a bow of might,— 



THE LADY OFTHE LAKE. 17; 

His first shaft centred in the white, 

And when in turn he shot again. 

His second split the first in twain. 

From the King's hand must Douglas take 

A silver dart, the archer's stake ; 

Fondly he watched, with watery eye, 

Some answering glance of sympathy, — 

No kind emotion made reply I 

Indifferent as to archer wight, 

The monarch gave the arrow bright. 

XXIII. 

Now, clear the ring ! for, hand to hand, 
The manly wrestlers take their stand. 
Two o'er the rest superior rose, 
And proud demanded mightier foes. 
Nor called in vain ; for Douglas came. 
—For life is Hugh of Larbert lame 
Scarce better John of Alloa's fare, 
Whom senseless home his comrades bear. 
Prize of the wrestling match, the King 
To Douglas gave a golden ring. 
While coldly glanced his eye of blue, 
As frozen drop of wintry dew. 
Douglas would speak, but in his breast 
His struggling soul his words suppressed ; 
Indignant then he turned him where 
Their arms the brawny yeomen bare. 
To hurl the massive bar in air. 



176 THE L A U V OF THE LAKE. 

When each his utmost strength had shown, 

The Douglas rent an earth-fast stone 

From its deep bed, then heaved it high, 

And sent the fragment through the sky, 

A rood beyond the farthest mark ; — 

And still in Stirling's royal park, 

The gray-haired sires, who know the past, 

To strangers point the Douglas-cast, 

And moralize on the decay 

Of Scottish strength in modern day. 

XXIV. 

The vale with loud applauses rang. 
The Ladies' Rock sent back the clang 
The King, with look unmoved, bestowed 
A purse well filled with pieces broad. 
Indignant smiled the Douglas proud. 
And threw the gold among the crowd. 
Who now, with an.\ious wonder, scan. 
And sharper glance, the dark gray man ; 
Till whispers rose among the throng. 
That heart so free, and hand so strong, 
Must to the Douglas blood belong ; 
The old men marked, and shook the head, 
To see his hair with silver spread. 
And winked aside, and told each son, 
Of feats upon the English done. 
Ere Douglas of the stalwart hand 
Was exiled from his native land. 




THE LADIES KOCK SENT BACK THE CLANG. 



378 r H E L A D V O F T H E L A K E . 

The women praised his stately form, 
Though wrecked by many a winter's 

storm ! 
The youth with awe and wonder saw 
His strength surpassing Nature's law. 
Thus judged, as is their wont, the crowd, 
Til) murmur rose to clamours loud. 
But not a glance from that proud ring 
Of peers who circled round the King, 
With Douglas held communion kind, 
Or called the banished man to mind ; 
No, not from those who, at the chase. 
Once held his side the honoured place, 
Begirt his board, and, in the field, 
Found safety underneath his shield ; 
For he, whom royal eyes disown, 
When was his form to courtiers known ? 

XXV. 

The Monarch saw the gambols fiag, 
And bade let loose a gallant stag. 
Whose pride, the holiday to crown, 
Two favourite greyhounds should pull 

down. 
That venison free, and Bordeaux wine. 
Might serve the archery to dine. 
But Lufra,— whom from Douglas' side 
Nor bribe nor threat could e'er divide. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 179 

The fleetest hound in all the North,— 

Brave Lufra saw, and darted forth. 

She left the royal hounds mid-way, 

And dashing- on the antlered prey, 

Sunk her sharp muzzle in his flank. 

And deep the flowing life-blood drank. 

The King's stout huntsman saw the sport 

By strange intruder broken short, 

Came up, and with his leash unbound. 

In anger struck the noble hound. 

— The Douglas had endured that morn, 

The King's cold look, the nobles' scorn, 

And last, and worst to spirit proud. 

Had borne the pity of the crowd ; 

But Lufra had been fondly bred, 

To share his board, to watch his bed. 

And oft would Ellen Lufra's neck 

In maiden glee with garlands deck ; 

They were such playmates, that with name 

Of Lufra, Ellen's image came. 

His stifled wrath is brimming high. 

In darkened brow and flashing eye ; 

As waves before the bark divide, 

The crowd gave way before his stride : 

Needs but a buffet and no more, 

The groom lies senseless in his gore. 

Such blow no other hand could deal, 

Though, gauntleted in glove of steel. 



l8o T H E L A D Y O F T H E L A K E . 

XXVI. 

Then clamoured loud the royal train, 
And brandished swords and staves amain. 
But stern the Baron's warning—" Back ! 
Back, on your lives, ye menial pack ! 
Beware the Douglas.— Yes ! behold. 
King James ! the Douglas, doomed of old, 
And vainly sought for near and far, 
A victim to atone the war, 
A willing victim, now attends. 
Nor craves thy grace but for his friends."— 
"Thus is my clemency repaid ? 
Presumptuous Lord ! " the monarch said : 
" Of thy misproud ambitious clan, 
Thou, James of Bothwell, wert the man. 
The only man, in whom a foe 
My woman-mercy would not know : 
But shall a Monarch's presence brook 
Injurious blow, and haughty look? — 
What ho ! the Captain of our Guard ! 
Give the offender fitting ward, — 
Break off the sports ! "—for tumult rose, 
And yeomen 'gan to bend their bows,^ 
"Break off the sports!" he said, and 

frowned, 
" And bid our horsemen clear the ground." 

XXVII. 

Then uproar wild and misarray 
Marred the fair form of festal day. 




YES ! BEHOLD, KING JAMES ! THE DOUGLAS, 
DOOMED OF OLD. 



It>2 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

The horsemen pricked among the crowd, 
Repelled by threats and insult loud ; 
To earth are borne the old and weak, 
The timorous fly, the women shriek ; 
With flint, with shaft, with staff, with bar, 
The hardier urge tumultuous war. 
At once round Douglas darkly sweep 
The royal spears in circle deep, 
And slowly scale the pathway steep ; 
While on the rear in thunder pour 
The rabble with disordered roar. 
With grief the noble Douglas saw 
The Commons rise against the law, 
And to the leading soldier said, — 
'■ Sir John of Hyndford ! 'twas my blade 
That knighthood on thy shoulder laid ; 
For that good deed, permit me then 
A word with these misguided men. 

XXVIII. 

" Hear, gentle friends ! ere yet for me 
Ye break the bands of fealty. 
My life, my honour, and my cause, 
I tender free to Scotland's laws. 
Are these so weak as must require 
The aid of your misguided ire ! 
Or. if I suffer causeless wrong, 
Is then my selfish rage so strong. 
My sense of public weal so low. 



THE LADV OF THE LAKE. 1»3 

That, for mean vengeance on a foe, 

Those cords of love I should unbind, 

Which knit my country and my kind ? 

Oh no 1 Believe in yonder tower 

It will not soothe my captive hour, 

To know those spears our foes should 

dread. 
For me in kindred gore are red ; 
To know, in fruitless brawl begun. 
For me, that mother wails her son ; 
For me, that widow's mate expires ; 
For me, that orphans weep their sires ; 
That patriots mourn insulted laws ; 
And curse the Douglas for the cause. 
O let your patience ward such ill, 
And keep your right to love me still ! " 

XXIX. 

The crowd's wild fury sunk again 
In tears, as tempests melt in rain. 
With lifted hands and eyes, they prayed 
For blessings on his generous head, 
Who for his country felt alone. 
And prized her blood beyond his own. 
Old men, upon the verge of life, 
Blessed him who staid the civil strife : 
And mothers held their babes on high, 
The self-devoted Chief to spy. 
Triumphant over wrongs and ire. 



184 THE LADV OF THE LAKE. 

To whom the prattlers owed a sire : 

Even the rough soldier's heart was 

moved ; 
As if behind some bier beloved, 
With trailing arms and drooping head, 
The Douglas up the hill he led. 
And at the Castle's battled verge 
With sighs resigned his honoured charge. 

XXX. 

The offended Monarch rode apart. 
With bitter thought and swelling heart, 
And would not now vouchsafe again 
Through Stirling streets to lead his train. 
" O Lenno.x, who would wish to rule 
This changeling crowd, this common fool ^ 
Hear'st thou," he said, "the loud acclaim. 
With which they shout the Douglas' name ! 
With like acclaim the vulgar throat 
Strained for King James their morning 

note ; 
With like acclaim they hailed the day 
When tirst I broke the Douglas' sway ; 
And like acclaim would Douglas greet, 
If he could hurl me from my seat. 
Who o'er the herd would wish to reign, 
Fantastic, fickle, tierce, and vain ! 
Vain as the leaf upon the stream, 
And fickle as a changeful dream ; 



THE LADV OF THE LAKE. 185 

Fantastic as a woman's mood. 

And tierce as Frenzy's fevered blood. 

Thou many-headed monster-thing, 

who would wish to be thy king- ! 

xxxr. 
" But soft ! what messenger of speed 
Spurs hitherward his panting steed ? 

1 guess his cognizance afar — 

What from our cousin, John of Mar? " — 
" He prays, my liege, your sports keep 

bound 
Within the safe and guarded ground : 
For some foul purpose yet unknown,— 
Most sure for evil to the throne, — 
The outlawed Chieftain, Roderick Dhu, 
Has summoned his rebellious crew ; 
'Tis said, in James of Bothwell's aid 
These loose banditti stand arrayed. 
The Earl of Mar, this morn, from Doune, 
To break their muster marched, and soon 
Your grace will hear of battle fought ; 
But earnestly the Earl besought, 
Till from such danger he provide, 
With scanty train you will not ride." — 

XXXII. 

" Thou warn'st me I have done amiss.— 
I should have earlier looked to this : 
I lost it in this bustling day, 



l86 THE L A D V OF THE LAKE. 

—Retrace with speed thy former way ; 
Spare not for spoiling of thy steed, 
The best of mine shall be thy meed. 
Say to our faithful Lord of Mar, 
We do forbid the intended war : 
Roderick, this morn, in single fight, 
Was made our prisoner by a knight ; 
And Douglas hath himself and cause 
Submitted to our kingdom's laws. 
The tidings of their leaders lost 
Will soon dissolve the mountain host. 
Nor would we that the vulgar feel, 
For their Chief's crimes, avenging steel 
Bear Mar our message. Braco : fly ! " — 
He turned his steed, — " My liege, I hie. 
Yet, ere I cross this lily lawn, 
I fear the broadswords will be drawn." 
The turf the flying courser spurned. 
And to his towers the King returned. 

xxxin. 
Ill with King James's mood that day 
Suited gay feast and minstrel lay ; 
Soon were dismissed the courtly throng 
And soon cut short the festal song. 
Nor less upon the saddened town 
The evening sunk in sorrow down. 
The burghers spoke of civil jar. 
Of rumoured feuds and mountain war. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 187 

Of Moray, Mar, and Roderick Dhu, 
All up in arms : — the Douglas too, 
They mourned him pent within the hold, 
" Where stout Earl William was of old." * 
And there his word the speaker staid, 
And linger on his lip he laid, 
Or pointed to his dagger blade. 
But jaded horsemen from the west. 
At evening to the Castle pressed ; 
And busy talkers said they bore 
Tidings of tight on Katrine's shore ; 
At noon the deadly fray begun. 
And lasted till the set of sun. 
Thus giddy rumour shook the town, 
Till closed the Night her pennons brown. 



CANTO SIXTH. 

THE GUARD-ROOM. 
1. 

The sun, awakening, through the smoky 
air 
Of the dark city casts a sullen glance. 
Rousing each caitiff to his task of care, 

Of sinful man the sad inheritance ; 
Summoning revellers from the lagging 
dance. 



* He had been stabbed by James II., in 
Stirling Castle. 



r88 THE L A D V OF THE LAKE. 

Scaring the prowling robber to his den ; 
Gilding on battled tower the warder's 
lance, 
And warning student pale to leave his 
pen, 
And yield his drowsy eyes to the kind 
nurse of men. 

What various scenes, and, O 1 what scenes 
of woe, 
Are witnessed by that red and struggling 
beam ! 
The fevered patient, from his pallet low, 
Through crowded hospital beholds it 
stream ; 
The ruined maiden trembles at its gleam. 
The debtor wakes to thought of gyve and 
jail, 
The love-lorn wretch starts from torment- 
ing dream ; 
The wakeful mother, by the g'immcring 
pale. 
Trims her sick infant's couch, and soothes 
his feeble wail. 
II. 
At dawn the towers of Stirling rang 
With soldier-step and weapon-clang. 
While drums, with rolling note, foretell 
Relief to weary sentinel. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 189 

Through narrow loop and casement barred, 
The sunbeams sought the Court of Guard, 
And, struggling with the smoky air, 
Deadened the torches' yellow glare. 
In comfortless alliance shone 
The lights through arch of blackened stone, 
And showed wild shapes in garb of war, 
Faces deformed with beard and scar, 
All haggard from the midnight watch, 
And fevered with the stern debauch : 
For the oak table's massive board, 
Flooded with wine, with fragments stored. 
And beakers drained, and cups o'erthrown. 
Showed in what sport the night had flown. 
Some, weary, snored an floor and bench, 
Some laboured still their thirst to quench ; 
Some, chilled with watching, spread their 

hands 
0"er the huge chimney's dying brands, 
While round them, or beside them flung. 
At every step their harness rung. 

III. 
These drew not for their fields the sword. 
Like tenants of a feudal lord. 
Nor owned the patriarchal claim 
Of chieftain in their leader's name ; 
Adventurers they from far who roved. 
To live by battle, which they loved. 



igo THE LADY f) F THE LAKE. 

There the Italian's clouded face ; 

The swarthy Spaniard's there you trace ; 

The mountain-loving Svvitzer there 

More freely breathed in mountain-air ; 

The Fleming there despised the soil. 

That paid so ill the labourer's toil ; [name ; 

Their rolls showed French and German 

And merry England's exiles came, 

To share, with ill concealed disdain, 

Of Scotland's pay the scanty gain. 

All brave in arms, well trained to wield 

The heavy halberd, brand, and shield ; 

In camps licentious, wild, and bold ; 

In pillage fierce and uncontrolled ; 

And now, by holytide and feast, 

From rules of discipline released. 

IV. 

They held debate of bloody fray, 
Fought 'twixt Loch Katrine and Achray, 
Fierce was their speech, and, 'mid their 

words. 
Their hands oft grappled to their swords ; 
Nor sunk their tone to spare the ear 
Of wounded comrades groaning near, 
Whose mangled limbs, and bodies gored, 
Bore token of the mountain sword. 
Though, neighbouring to the Court of 

Guard, 



THE I. A n V OF THE LAKE. IQI 

Tlieir prayers and feverish wails were 

heard ! 
Sad burden to the ruffian joke, 
And savage oath by fury spoke !— 
At length up-started John of Brent, 
A yeoman from the banks of Trent ; 
A stranger to respect or fear. 
In peace a chaser of the deer, 
In host a hardy mutineer, 
But still the boldest of the crew, 
When deed of danger was to do. 
He grieved that day, their games cut short, 
And marred the dicer's brawling sport. 
And shouted loud, " Renew the bowl ! 
And, while a merry catch I troll, 
Let each the bu.xom chorus bear, 
Like brethren of the brand and spear." 

V. 

soldier's song. 
Our vicar still preaches that Peter and 

Poule [brown bowl. 

Laid a swinging long carse on the bonny 
That there's wrath and despair in the jolly 

black jack, [sack ; 

And the seven deadly sins in a flagon of 
Yet whoop, Barnaby I off with thy liquor, 
Drink upsees* out, and a fig for the vicar ! 



* A Dutch health or drinking word. 







'•SE,^-. 






^> 



SOLDIER S SONG. 



THE I. A D V O F T H E LAKE. 193 

Our vicar he calls it damnation to sip 

The ripe ruddy dew of a woman's dear lip, 

Says, that Beelzebub lurks in her kerchief 

so sly, 
And ApoUyon shoots darts from her merry 

black eye. 
Yet whoop. Jack ! kiss Gillian the quicker, 
Till she bloom like a rose, and a tig- for the 

vicar ! 

Our vicar thus preaches— and why should 

he not ? 
For the dues of his cure are the placket and 

pot ; 
And 'tis right of his office poor laymen trr 

lurch, 
Who infringe the domains of our good 

Mother Church. 
Yet whoop, bully boys ! off with your 

liquor. 
Sweet Marjorie's the word, and a fig for 

the vicar ! 

VI. 

The warder's challenge, heard without, 

Staid in mid-roar the merry shout. 

A soldier to the portal went,— 

" Here is old Bertram, sirs, of Ghent ; 

And, — beat for jubilee the drum I 

A maid and minstrel with him come." 



194 



Bertram, a Fleming, gray and scarred, 
Was entering now the Court of Guard, 
A harper with him, and in plaid 
All muflfled close, a mountain maid, 
Who backward shrunk to 'scape the view 
Of the loose scene and boisterous crew. 
"What news?"' they roared: — ''I only 

know, 
Fi'om noon till eve we fought with foe, 
As wild and as untameable 
As the rude mountains where they dwell ; 
On both sides store of blood is lost. 
Nor much success can either boast." — 
" But whence thy captives, friend ? such 

spoil 
As theirs must needs reward thy toil. 
Old dost thou wax, and wars grow sharp 
Thou now hast glee-maiden and harp I 
Get thee an ape, and trudge the land. 
The leader of a juggler band." 

VII. 

" No, comrade ; — no such fortune mine. 

\fter the tight these sought our line, 

That aged harper and the girl. 
And, having audience of the Earl, 
Mar bade I should purvey them steed. 
And bring them hithervvard with speed. 
Forbear your mirih and rude alarm, 



THE L A D V OF THE LAKE. 195 

For none shall do them shame or harm." — 

" Hear ye his boast ? " cried John of Brent, 

Ever to strife and jangling bent ; 

" Shall he strike doe beside our lodge, 

And yet the jealous niggard grudge 

To pay the forester his fee ? 

I'll have my share, howe'er it be, 

Despite of Moray, Mar, or thee." 

Bertram his forward step withstood ; 

And, burning in his vengeful mood, 

Old Allan, though unfit for strife. 

Laid hand upon his dagger-knife ; 

But Ellen boldly stepped between. 

And dropped at once the tartan screen : — 

So, from his morning cloud, appears 

The sun of May, through summer tears. 

The savage soldiery, amazed. 

As on descended angel gazed ; 

Even hardy Brent, abashed and tamed. 

Stood half admiring, half ashamed. 

VHI. 

Boldly she spoke, — " Soldiers, attend ! 
My father was the soldier's friend ; 
Cheered him in camps, in marches led, 
And with him in the battle bled. 
Not from the valiant, or the strong. 
Should exile's daughter suffer wrong." 
Answered De Brent, most forward still 



iq6 the lady of the lake. 

In every feat or good or ill, — 

" I shame me of the part I played : 

And thou an outlaw's child, poor maid . 

An outlaw I by forest laws. 

And merry Needwood knows the cause. 

Poor Rose, — if Rose be living now," — 

He wiped his iron eye and brow, — 

'• Must bear such age, I think, as thou.— 

Hear ye, my mates ; I go to call 

The Captain of our watch to hall : 

There lies my halberd on the floor ; 

And he that steps my halberd o'er, 

To do the maid injurious part, 

My shaft shall quiver in his heart !— 

Beware loose speech, or jesting rough :- 

You all know John de Brent. Enough." 

IX. 

Their Captain came, a gallant young, — 
(Of Tullibardine's house he sprung,) 
Nor wore he yet the spurs of knight ; 
Gay was his mien, his humour light. 
And, though by courtesy controlled, 
F"orvvard his speech, his bearing bold. 
The high-born maiden ill could brook 
The scanning of his curious look 
And dauntless eye; — and yet, in sooth, 
Young Lewis was a generous youth ; 
But Ellen's lovely face and mien. 



THE LADV OF THE LAKE. 197 

111 suited to the garb and scene, 

Might lightly bear construction strange, 

And give loose fancy scope to range. 

"Welcome to Stirling towers, fair maid ! 

Come ye to seek a champion's aid, 

On palfrey white, with harper hoar, 

Like errant damosel of yore ? 

Does thy high quest a knight require, 

Or may the venture suit a squire ? ' 

Her dark eye flashed ;— she paused and 

sighed, — 
" O what have I to do with pride !— 
Through scenes of sorrow, shame, and 

strife, 
A suppliant for a father's life. 
I crave an audience of the King. 
Behold, to back my suit, a ring. 
The royal pledge of grateful claims. 
Given by the Monarch to Fitz-James."' 

X. 

The signet-ring young Lewis took. 
With deep respect and altered look ; 
And said,—" This ring our duties own : 
And pardon, if to worth unknown, 
In semblance mean obscurely veiled. 
Lady, in aught my folly failed. 
Soon as the day flings wide his gates, 
The King shall know what suitor waits. 



igo THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Please you, meanwhile, in fitting bower 

Repose j'ou till his waking- hour ; 

Female attendants shall obey 

Your best, for service or array. 

Permit I marshal you the way." 

But. ere she followed, with the grace 

And open bounty of her race. 

She bade her slender purse be shared 

Among the soldiers of the guard. 

The rest with thanks their guerdon took 

But Brent, with shy and awkward look. 

On the reluctant maiden's hold 

Forced bluntly back the proffered gold ; 

'' Forgive a haughty English heart. 

And O forget its ruder part ! 

The vacant purse shall be my share, 

Which in my barret-cap I'll bear, 

Perchance, in jeopardy of war, 

Where gayer crests may keep afar." 

With thanks — 'twas all she could— the 

maid 
His rugged courtesy repaid. 

XI. 

When Ellen forth with Lewis went, 
Allan made suit to John of Brent : — 
" My lady safe, O let your grace 
Give me to see my master's face ! 
His minstrel I, — to share his doom 



THELADYOFTHELAKE. IC 

Bound from the cradle to the tomb. 
Tenth in descent, since first my sires 
Waked for his noble house their lyres, 
Nor one of all the race was known 
But prized its weal above their own. 
With the Chief's birth begins our care : 
Our harp must soothe the infant heir, 
Teach the youth tales of fight, and grace 
His earliest feat of field or chase ; 
In peace, in war, our rank we keep, 
We cheer his board, we soothe his sleep, 
Nor leave him till we pour our verse — 
A doleful tribute ! — o'er his hearse. 
Then let me share his captive lot ; 
It is my right — deny it not ! " 
" Little we reck," said John of Brent, 
" We southern men, of long descent ; 
Nor wot we how a name — a word — 
Makes clansmen vassals to a lord : 
Yet kind my noble landlord's part, — 
God bless the house of Beaudesert ! 
And, but I loved to drive the deer, 
More than to guide the labouring steer, 
I had not dwelt an outcast here. 
Come, good old Minstrel, follow me ; 
Thy Lord and Chieftain shalt thou see." 



200 THE LADV OF THE LAKE. 
XII. 

Tlien, from a rusted iron hook, 
A bunch of ponderous keys he took. 
Lighted a torch, and Allan led 
Through grated arch and passage dread. 
Portals they passed, where, deep within, 
Spoke prisoner's moan, and fetters' din; 
Through rugged vaults, where, loosely 
stored, [swi^rd, 

Lay wheel, and axe, and headsman's 
And many an hideous engine grim. 
For wrenching joint, and crushing limb. 
By artists formed, who deemed it shame 
And sin to give their work a name. 
They halted at a low-browed porch, 
And Brent to Allan gave the torch. 
While bolt and chain he backward rolled, 
And made the bar unhasp its hold. 
They entered : — 'twas a prison room 
Of stern security and gloom, 
Yet not a dungeon ; for the day 
Through lofty gratings found its way. 
And rude and antique garniture 
Decked the sad walls and oaken floor ; 
Such as the rugged days of old 
Deemed tit for captive noble's hold. 
" Here," said De Brent, "thou mayst re- 
main 



THE LADV OF THE LAKE. 20I 

Till the Leech visit him again. 

Strict is his charge, the warders tell, 

To tend the noble prisoner well." 

Retiring then, the bolt he drew. 

And the lock's murmurs growled anew. 

Roused at the sound, from lowly bed 

A captive feebly raised his head ; 

The wondering Minstrel looked, and 

knew — 
Not his dear lord, but Roderick Dhu ! 
For, come from where Clan-Alpine fought. 
They, erring, deemed the Chief he sought. 

XIII. 

As the tall ship, whose lofty prore 

Shall never stem the billows mere, 

Deserted by her gallant band, 

Amid the breakers lies astrand. — 

So, on his couch, lay Roderick Dhu ! 

And oft his fevered limbs he threw 

In toss abrupt, as when her sides 

Lie rocking in the advancing tides, 

That shake her frame with ceaseless 

beat, 
Yet cannot heave her from her seat ; — 
O ! how unlike her course at sea ! 
Or his free step on hill and lea 1 — 
Soon as the Minstrel he could scan, 
" What of thy lady ?— of my clan ? — 



232 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

My mother? — Douglas? — tell me all ! 
Have they been ruined in my fall ? 
Ah, yes ! or wherefore art thou here ? 
Yet speak, — speak boldly.— do not fear," — 
(For Allan, who his mood well knew. 
Was choked with grief and terror too. )— 
••Who fought— who fled ?— Old man, be 

brief ;— 
Some might— for they had lost their Chief. 
Who basely live ?— who bravely died ? " — 
" O calm thee, Chief ! " the Minstrel cried, 
"Ellen is safe !"—" For that, thank 

Heaven ! "— 
'• And hopes are for the Douglas given ; — 
The Lady Margaret, too, is well ; 
And, for thy clan, — on field or fell, 
Has never harp of minstrel told. 
Of combat fought so true and bold. 
Thy stately Pine is yet unbent. 
Though many a goodly bough is rent." 

XIV. 

The Chieftain reared his form on high. 
And fever's fire was in his eye ; 
But ghastly, pale, and livid streaks 
Chequered his swarthy brow and cheeks. 
— " Hark, Minstrel ! I have heard thee 

play. 
With measure bold, on festal day. 



THE L A D "i" OF THE LAKE. 203 

In yon lone isle, . . . again where ne'er 

Shall harper play, or warrior hear ! . . . 

That stirring air that peals on high, 

0"er Dermid's race our victory, — 

Strike it ! — and then, (for well thou canst.) 

Free from thy minstrel-spirit glanced, 

Fling me the picture of the fight, 

When met my clan the Saxon might. 

ril listen, till my fancy hears 

The clang of swords, the crash of spears ! 

These grates, these walls, shall vanish 

then 
For the fair field of fighting men, 
And my free spirit burst away. 
As if it soared from battle fray." 
The trembling Bard with awe obeyed, — 
Slow on the harp his hand he laid ; 
But soon remembrance of the sight 
He witnessed from the mountain's height, 
With what old Bertram told at night, 
Awakened the full power of song, 
And bore him in career along ; — 
As shallop launched on river's tide. 
That slow and fearful leaves the side, 
But, when it feels the middle stream, 
Drives downward swift as lightning's 

beam. 



LADY OF THE 



BATTLE OF BEAL AN Dl'IXE. 

"The Minstrel came once more to view 
The eastern ridge of Benvenue, 
For, ere he parted, he would say 
Farewell to lovely Loch Achray— 
Where shall he find, in foreign land. 
So lone a lake, so sweet a strand I 
There is no breeze upon the fern. 

Nor ripple on the lake, 
Upon her eyry nods the erne, 

The deer has sought the brake ; 
The small birds will not sing aloud. 

The springing trout lies still. 
So darkly glooms yon thunder cloud, 
That swathes, as with a purple shroud, 

Benledi's distant hill. 
Is it the thunder's solemn sound 
That mutters deep and dread. 
Or echoes from the groaning ground 

The warrior's measured tread? 
Is it the lightning's quivering glance 

That on the thicket streams. 
Or do they flash on spear and lance 
The sun's retiring beams ? 
— I see the dagger-crest of Mar, 
I see the Moray's silver star. 
Wave o'er the cloud of Saxon war, 



THE LADV OF THE LAKE. 205 

That up the lake comes winding far ! 
To hero bound for battle strife. 

Or bard of martial lay, 
'Twere worth ten years of peaceful life. 

One glance at their array ! 

XVI. 

" Their light-armed archers far and near 

Surveyed the tangled ground, 
Their centre ranks, with pike and spear, 

A twilight forest frowned, 
Their barbed horsemen, in the rear. 

The stern battalia crowned. 
No cymbal clashed, no clarion rang, 

Still were the pipe and drum ; 
Save heavy tread, and armour's clang, 

The sullen march was dumb. 
There breathed no wind their crests to 
shake. 

Or wave their flags abroad : 
Scarce the frail aspen seemed to quake. 

That shadowed o'er their road. 
Their van ward scouts no tidings bring, 

Can rouse no lurking foe. 
Nor spy a trace of living thing. 

Save when they stirred the roe : 
The host moves like a deep-sea wave, 
Where rise no rocks its pride to brave. 

High-swelling, dark, and slow. 



2o6 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

The lake is passed, and now they gain 
A narrow and a broken plain, 
Before the Trosach's rugged jaws ; 
And here the horse and spearmen pause, 
While to explore the dangerous glen, 
Dive through the pass the archer-men. 

XVII. 

" At once there rose so wild a yell 
Within that dark and narrow dell, 
As all the fiends, from heaven that fell. 
Had pealed the banner-cry of hell ! 
Forth from the pass in tumult driven, 
Like chaff before the wind of heaven. 

The archery appear. 
For life ! for life ! their plight they ply— 
And shriek, and shout, and battle-cry, 
And plaids and bonnets waving high. 
And broadswords flashing to the sky, 

Are maddening in the rear. 
Onward they drive, in dreadful race. 

Pursuers and pursued ; 
Before that tide of flight and chase, 
How shall it keep its rooted place, 

The spearmen's twilight wood ? — 
' Down, down,' cried Mar, ' your lances 
down I 
Bear back both friend and foe ! ' — 
Like reeds before the tempest's frown, 



T H E L A D \' O F T H E L A K E . 207 

That seried grove of lances brown 

At once lay levelled low ; 
And closely shouldering side to side, 
The bristling ranks the onset bide. — 
' We'll quell the savage mountaineer. 

As their Tinchel * cows the game ! 
They come as fleet as forest deer. 

We'll drive them back as tame.' — 

XVIII. 

" Bearing before them, in their course. 
The relics of the archer force. 
Like wave with crest of sparkling foam, 
Right onward did Clan-Alpine come. 

Above the tide, each broadsword bright 

Was brandishing like beam of light, 
Each targe was dark below ; 

And with the ocean's mighty swing. 

When heaving to the tempest's wing, 
They hurled them on the foe. 
I heard the lance's shivering crash, 
As when the whirlwind rends the ash, 
I heard the broadsword's deadly clang, 
As if an hundred anvils rang ! 



* A circle of sportsmen, who, by sur- 
rounding a great space, and gradually 
narrowing, brought immense quantities of 
deer together, which usually made desper- 
ate efforts to break through the "Tin- 
chel." 



2o8 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

But Moray wheeled his rearward flank, 
Of horsemen on Clan-Alpine's flank, 

— ' My banner-man advance ! 
I see,' he cried, 'their column shake. — 
Now, gallants ! for your ladies' sake 

Upon them with the lance ! ' — 
The horsemen dashed among the rout, 

As deer break through the broom ; 
Their steeds are stout, their swords are 
out. 

They soon make lightsome room. 
Clan-Alpine's best are backward borne — 

Where, where was Roderick then! 
One blast upon his bugle-horn 

Were worth a thousand men ! 
And refluent through the pass of fear 

The battle's tide was poured ; 
Vanished the Saxon's struggling spear, 

Vanished the mountain-sword. 
As Bracklin's chasm, .so black and steep, 

Receives her roaring linn. 
As the dark caverns of the deep 

Suck the wild whirlpool in, 
So did the deep and darksome pass 
Devour the battle's mingled mass : 
None linger now upon the plain, 
Save those who ne'er shall fight again. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 209 

XIX. 

" Now westward rolls the battle's din, 
That deep and doubling pass within, 
— Minstrel, away, the work of fate 
Is bearing on : its issue wait. 
Where the rude Trosach's dread defile 
Opens on Katrine's lake and isle. — 
Gray Benvenue I soon repassed, 
Loch Katrine lay beneath me cast. 

The sun is set ; — the clouds are met, 
The lowering scowl of heaven 

An inky hue of livid blue 
To the deep lake has given ; 
Strange gusts of wind from mountain-glen 
Swept o'er the lake, then sunk agen. 
I heeded not the eddying surge. 
Mine eye but saw the Trosach's gorge. 
Mine ear but heard the sullen sound. 
Which like an earthquake shook the ground, 
And spoke the stern and desperate strife 
That parts not but with parting life, 
Seeming, to minstrel ear, to toll 
The dirge of many a passing soul. 
Nearer it comes — the dim-wood glen 
The martial flood disgorged agen. 

But not in mingled tide ; 
Theplaided warriors of the North 
High on the mountain thunder forih 



2IO THELAD\-OFTHELAk-E. 

And overhang its side ; 
While by the lake below appears 
The darkening cloud of Saxon spears. 
At weary bay each shattered band, 
Eyeing their foemen, sternly stand ; 
Their banners stream like tattered sail, 
That flings its fragments to the gale, 
And broken arms and disarray 
Marked the fell havoc of the day. 

XX. 

" Viewing the mountain's ridge askance, 
The Saxon stood in sullen trance. 
Till Moray pointed with his lance. 

And cried—' Behold yon isle !— 
See 1 none are left to guard its strand, 
But women weak, that wring the hand : 
'Tis there of yore the robber band 

Their booty wont to pile •; 
My purse, with bonnet-pieces store, 
To him will swim a bow-shot o'er, 
And loose a shallop from the shore. 
Lightly we'll tame the war-wolf then, 
Lords of his mate, and brood, and den." 
Forth from the ranks a spearman sprung. 
Oh earth his casque and corslet rung. 

He plunged him in the wave ; — 
All saw the deed— the purpose knew, 
And to their clamours Benvenue 



'I H E I, A U V O K 'I' H E L A K E . -^11 

A mingled echo gave ; 
The Saxons shout, their mate to cheer, 
The helpless females scream for fear, 
And yells for rage the mountaineer. 
'Tvvas then, as by the outcry riven, 
Poured down at once the lowering heaven ; 
A whirlwind swept Loch Katrine's breast. 
Her billows reared their snowy crest. 
Well for the swimmer swelled they high, 
To mar the Highland marksman's eye ; 
For round him showered, 'mid rain and 

hail. 
The vengeful arrows of the Gael. — 
In vain.— He nears the isle — and lo 1 
His hand is on a shallop's bow. 
—Just then a flash of lightning came, 
It tinged the waves and strand with 

flame ; — • 
I marked Duncraggan's widowed dame. 
Behind an oak I saw her stand, 
A naked dirk gleamed in her hand ; — 
It darkened— but amid the moan 
Of waves I heard a dying groan ;— 
Another flash !— the spearman floats 
A weltering corse beside the boats, 
And the stern matron o'er him stood, 
Her hand and dagger streaming blood. 



212 THE L A U V OF THE LAKE. 

X\I. 

" ' Revensje ! revenue ! ' the Saxons cried. 

The Gaels' exulting shout replied. 

Despite the elemental raije. 

Again they hurried to engage ; 

But ere they closed in desperate fight. 

Bloody with spurring came a knight, 

Sprung from his horse, and, from a crag, 

Waved 'twixt the hosts a milk-white flag. 

Clarion and trumpet by his side 

Rung forth a truce-note high and wide, 

While, in the Monarch's name, afar 

A herald's voice forbade the war 

For Bothwell'slord, and Roderick bold, 

Were both, he said, in captive hold. 

—But here the lay made sudden stand. 

The harp escaped the Minstrel's hand !— 

Oft had he stolen a glance, to spy 

How Roderick brooked his minstrelsy : 

At first, the Chieftain to the chime. 

With lifted hand, kept feeble time ; 

That motion ceased— yet feeling strong 

Varied his look as changed the song ; 

At length, no more his deafened ear 

The minstrel melody can hear ; 

His face grows sharp — his hands are 

clenched. 
As if some pang his heart-strings wrenched; 



THELAD\'C)FTHELAKE. 21] 

Set are his teeth, his fading eye 

Is sternly fixed on vacancy ; 

Thus motionless, and moanless, drew 

His parting- breath, stout Roderick Dhu I — 

Old Allan-Bane looked on aghast. 

While grim and still his spirit passed : 

But when he saw that life was fled, 

He poured his wailing o'er the dead. 

XXII. 

LAMENT. 

" And art thou cold and lowly laid. 
Thy foeman's dread, thy people's aid, 
Breadalbane's boast, Clan-Alpine's shade 1 
For thee shall none a requiem say ? 
— For thee, — who loved the minstrel's lay. 
For thee, of Bothwell's house the stay, 
The shelter of her exiled line. 
E'en in this prison-house ot thine, 
I'll wail for Alpine's honoured Pine !— 
" What groans shall yonder valleys fill ! 
What shrieks of grief shall rend yon hill ! 
What tears of burning rage shall thrill. 
When mourns thy tribe thy battles done. 
Thy, fall before the race was won. 
Thy sword ungirt ere set of sun ! 
There breathes not clansman of thy line, 
But would have given his life for thine.— 
O woe for Alpine's honoured Pine ! — 



2 14 T H E L A D V () ;•" r HE LAKE, 

" Sad was thy lot on mortal stage ! — 
The captive thrush may brook the cage, 
The prisoned eagle dies for rage. 
Brave spirit, do not scorn my strain ! 
And, when its notes awake again. 
Even she, so long beloved in vain, 
Shall with my harp her voice combine. 
And mix her woe and tears with mine. 
To wail Clan-Alpine's honoured Pine.'" 

XXIII. 

Ellen, the while, with bursting heart. 

Remained in lordly bower apart. 

Where played with many-coloured gleams, 

Through storied pane the rising beams. 

In vain on gilded roof they fall. 

And lightened up a tapestried wall. 

And for her use a menial train 

A rich collation spread in vain. 

The banquet proud, the chamber gay. 

Scarce drew the curious glance astray ; 

Or, if she looked, 'twas but to say, 

With better omen dawned the day 

In that lone isle, where waved on high 

The dun-deer's hide for canopy ; 

Where oft her noble father shared 

The simple meal her care prepared, 

While Lufra, crouching by her side, 

Her station claimed with iealous pride, 



THELADYOFTHELAKE. 215 

And Douglas, bent on woodland game, 
Spoke of the chase to Malcolm Graeme, 
Whose answer, oft at random made. 
The wandering of his thoughts betrayed. — 
Those who such simple joys have known, 
Are taught to prize them when they're 

gone. 
But sudden, see, she lifts her head ! 
The window seeks with cautious tread. 
What distant music has the power 
To win her in this woeful hour ! 
'Twas from a turret that o'erhung 
Her latticed bower, the strain was sung. 

XXIV. 
LAV OF THE IMPRISONED HUNTSMAN. 

" My hawk is tired of perch and hood, 
My idle greyhound loathes his food. 
My horse is weary of his stall. 
And I am sick of captive thrall. 
I wish I were, as I have been. 
Hunting the hart in forest green. 
With bended bow and bloodhound free, 
For that's the life is meet for me. 
I hate to learn the ebb of time. 
From yon dull steeple's drowsy chime, 
Or mark it as the sunbeams crawl, 
Inch after inch along the wall. 
The lark was v/cnt my matins ring, 



210 THE LADVOFTHE LAKE. 

The sable rook my vesper sing, 

These towers, although a king's they be, 

Have not a hall of joy for me. 

No more at dawning morn I rise, 

And sun myself in Ellen's eyes, 

Drive the fleet deer the forest through. 

And homeward wend with evening dew ; 

A blithesome welcome blithely meet, 

And lay my trophies at her feet, 

While fled the eve on wing of glee, — 

That life is lost to love and me ! " 

XXV. 

The heart-sick lay was hardly said. 

The list'ner had not turned her head, 

It trickled still, the starting tear. 

When light a footstep struck her ear, 

And Snowdoun's graceful knight was near. 

She turned the hastier, lest again 

The prisoner should renew his strain. — 

*' O welcome, brave Fitz-James ! " she 

said, 
*' How may an almost orphan maid 
Pay the deep debt." — " O say not so ! 
To me no gratitude you owe. 
Not mine, alas ! the boon to give, 
And bid thy noble father live ; 
I can be but thy guide, sweet maid, 
With Scotland's king thy suit to aid. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 2T7 

No tyrant he, though ire and pride 
May lay his better mood aside. 
Come, Ellen, come ! 'tis more than time, 
He holds his court at morning prime." 
With beating heart, and bosom wrung. 
As to a brother's arm she clung. 
Gently he dried the falling tear, 
And gently whispered hope and cheer ; 
Her faltering steps half led, half staid 
Through gallery fair, and high arcade. 
Till at his touch, its wings of pride 
A portal arch unfolded wide. 

XXVI. 

Within 'twas brilliant all and light, 
A thronging scene of figures bright ; 
It glowed on Ellen's dazzled sight, 
As when the setting sun has given 
Ten thousand hues to summer even, 
And from their tissue, fancy frames 
Aerial knights and fairy dames. 
Still by Fitz-James her footing staid ; 
A few faint steps she forward made. 
Then slow her drooping head she raised. 
And fearful round the presence gazed, 
For him she sought, who owned this state, 
The dreaded prince whose will was fate. 
She gazed on many a princely port, 
Might well have ruled a royal court ; 



2 1 b T H E L A D V O i-" T H E L A IC E . 

On many a splendid garb she gazed, 
Then turned bewildered and amazed, 
For all stood bare ; and, in the room, 
Fitz-James alone wore cap and plume. 
To him each lady's look was lent ; 
On him each courtier's eye was bent ; 
Midst furs and silks, and jewels sheen, 
He stood, in simple Lincoln green, 
The centre of the glittering ring,— 
And Snowdoun's Knight is Scotland's 
King. 

XXVII. 

As wreath of snow, on mountain-breast, 

Slides from the rock that gave it rest, 

Poor Ellen glided from her stay. 

And at the Monarch's feet she lay ; 

No word her choking voice commands, — 

She showed the ring, she clasped her 

hands. 
O ! not a moment could he brook. 
The generous prince, that suppliant look I 
Gently he raised her ; and, the while. 
Checked with a glance the circle's smile ; 
Graceful, but grave, her brow he kissed, 
And bade her terrors be dismissed : — 
" Yes, Fair ; the wandering poor Fitz- 
James 
The fealty of Scotland claims. 



THELADVOFTHELAKE. 219 

To him thy woes, thy wishes, bring ; 
He will redeem his signet ring. 
Ask nought for Douglas : yester even, 
His prince and he have much forgiven. 
Wrong hath he had from slanderous 

tongue, 
I, from his rebel kinsmen, wrong. 
We would not to the vulgar crowd, 
Yield what they craved with clamour loud ; 
Calmly we heard and judged his cause. 
Our council aided, and our laws. 
I stanched thy father's death-feud stern, 
With stout De Vaux and Grey Glencairn ; 
And Bothwell's Lord henceforth we own 
The friend and bulwark of our Throne. 
But, lovely intidel, how now ? 
What clouds thy misbelieving brow ? 
Lord James of Douglas, lend thine aid ; 
Thou must confirm this doubting maid." 

XXVIII. 

Then forth the noble Douglas sprung, 
And on his neck his daughter hung. 
The Monarch drank, that happy hour. 
The sweetest, holiest, draught of Power, — 
When it can say, with godlike voice. 
Arise sad Virtue, and rejoice ! 
Yet would not James the general eye 
On Nature's raptures long should pry. 



220 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

He Stepped between — "Nay, Douglas, 

nay. 
Steal not my proselyte away ! 
The riddle 'tis my right to read, 
That brought this happy chance to speed. 
Yes, Ellen, when disguised I stray 
In life's more low but happier way, 
'Tis under name which veils my power, 
Nor falsely veils— for Stirling's tower 
Of yore the name of Snowdoun claims, 
And Normans call me James Fitz-James. 
Thus watch I o'er insulted laws, 
Thus learn to right the injured cause."— 
Then, in a tone apart and low, — 
" Ah, little traitress ! none must know 
What idle dream, what lighter thought. 
What vanity full dearly bought. 
Joined to thine eye's dark witchcraft, drew 
My spell-bound steps to Benvenue, 
In dangerous hour, and all but gave 
Thy Monarch's life to mountain glaive I " — 
Aloud he spoke— "Thou still dost hold 
That little talisman of gold. 
Pledge of my faith, Fitz-James's ring— 
What seeks fair Ellen of the King ? " 

XXIX. 

Full well the conscious maiden guessed 
He probed the weakness of her breast ; 



TH E LA D Y O F TH E L AKE, 221 

But, with that consciousness there came 
A lightening of her fears for Grfeme, 
And more she deemed the Monarch's ire 
Kindled 'gainst him, who, for her sire, 
Rebellious broadsword boldly drew ; 
And, to her generous feeling true. 
She craved the grace of Roderick Dhu. 
" Forbear thy suit : — the King of Kings 
Alone can stay life's parting wings. 
I know his heart, I know his hand. 
Have shared his cheer, and proved his 

brand :— 
My fairest earldom would I give 
To bid Clan-Alpine's Chieftain live : 
Hast thou no other boon to crave ? 
No other captive friend to save ? " 
Blushing, she turned her from the King, 
And to the Douglas gave the ring. 
As if she wished her sire to speak 
The suit that stained her glowing cheek. — 
" Nay, then, my pledge has lost its force, 
And stubborn justice holds her course.— 
Malcolm, come forth ! " — And, at the 

word, [Lord, 

Down kneeled the Graeme to Scotland's 
•' For thee, rash youth, no suppliant sues. 
From thee may Vengeance claim her dues 
Who, nurtured underneath our smile. 
Hast paid our care by treacherous wile, 



^^ 



"•^H 




THE LINKS O EK IMALCULM S NECK HE FLUNG. 



W2S 



THE L A D \- OF THE LAKE. 

And sought amid thy faithful clan, 
A refuge for an outlawed man, 
Dishonouring thus thy loyal name. — 
Fetters and warder for the Graeme ! " 
His chain of gold the King unstrung. 
The links o'er Malcolm's neck he flung 
Then gently drew the glittering band, 
And laid the clasp on Ellen's hand. 



Harp of the North, farewell! The hills 
grow dark, [ing: 

On purple peaks a deeper shade descend- 
In twilight copse the glow-worm lights her 
spark, 
Tiie deer, half-seen, are to the covert 
wending 
Resume thy wizard elm ! the fountain 
lending, 
And the wild breeze, thy wilder min- 
strelsy ; 
Thy numbers sweet with nature's vespers 
blending. 
With distant echo from the fold and lea. 
And herd-boy's evening pipe, and hum of 
housing bee. 

Yet. once again, farewell, thou Minstrel 
harp ! 
Yet, once again, forgive my feeble sway, 



224 THE LAUV OF THE LAKE. 

And little reck I of the censure sharp 

May idly cavil at an idle lay. 
Much have I ow^ed thy strains on life's 
long way, 
Through secret woes the world has never 
known, 
When on the weary night dawned wearier 
day, 
And bitterer was the grief devoured 
alone. 
That I o'erlive such woes, Enchantress ! is 
thine own, 

Hark ! as my lingering footsteps slow 
retire. 
Some Spirit of the Air has waked thy 
string ! 
'Tis now a seraph bold, with touch of fire, 
'Tis now the brush of Fairy's frolic 
wing. 
Receding now, the dying numbers ring 
Fainter and fainter down the rugged 
dell, 
And now the mountain breezes scarcely 
bring 
A wandering witch-note of the distant 
spell — 
And now, 'tis silent all !— Enchantress, 
fare thee well ! 



•' ^0- 









.♦^ .u... ^r 



y c»"v. ^. 



o > 

















6°*. . 



o_ * 



'^^/♦Tr,-' «,'^' 'o^ •.^' ao 






r.v--^'* -^cv 



V . 














••*^'' .^"^ 




* o 









^^.,** /^i^'. \> ..-^^ /. 


















^^6^ 



♦^ & 



4q. 



♦ ^^ o. 












i!?" y^s 



o I « ♦ ''i^ 










^ .•^'"^ •^c 




:. V.-^^ 









% ^o 






